Precious Living Stones: Advent Season: The Jesse Tree

The Advent Season is upon us! We're doing something a little different this season. I have traditionally done advent readings each December but this year I really wanted us to press in, to savour the waiting, the joy and hope that Christmas holds, and to put that emphasis squarely on the Saviour's birth.

I purchased a copy of Ann Voskamp's The Greatest Gift and we will be using that as a guide to our advent season this year. It's a gorgeous book. I am very pleased with it. The daily readings for advent are full of meaningful reflection and draw the readers attention back to focus on the anticipation of a Saviour, and the fullfillment of that promise.

Along with these readings we will be building a Jesse Tree. A Jesse Tree essentially depicts the lineage of Christ, with Jesse at the bottom and then working its way up to the Christ. Our tree has a broad trunk and at the base are the verses found in Isaiah 11:1-2 & 10.

"Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot

yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the

LORD.....

In that day the heir to David's throne
will be a banner of salvation to all the world.

The nations will rally to him,

and the land where he lives will be a glorious

place."

Following our advent readings each day we will add an ornament depicting the lineage of Christ. There are also some activities we will be doing in tandem with the readings and ornaments. I will post our adventure with this as we go along.

I can already see how beneficial this was to them. They discussed all sorts of things as we worked, including the colours we added and what they depict, how the lineage of Christ was formed and to my great delight the lives of the people who were apart of that lineage. My daughter made the point that these were ordinary people like you and me, who struggled with sin but God loved them and gave them grace. I was literally astounded that she spoke these words on her own. I was even more amazed by the discussion between her and her siblings on this point. I just melted into the background and listened quietly. I love when children engage in conversation completely unsolicited by an adult. That was truly the highlight of my day.

Below are the pictures of the kids creating their Jesse Tree!