I’ve read about this on a few different blogs and thought that it would be a neat way to share the Advent with Big & Little. So far - we’ve loved it.

We started lastnight (but it’s not too late to start!) with reading about the Jesse Tree. We first started with a tiny branch in a vase, but I don’t think that’s going to hold up. So, I’ve moved the ornaments onto a little 4ft tree we already had upstairs in our bonus room.

RCA has great devotionals for little kids. Our 4 & 2 year old sat through an entire Chapter in Genises tonight - so I really think this is for any age child… and it’s such an awesome tradition to begin.

Here’s what we did lastnight:

Scripture:	Isaiah 11:1-2
Reading:	God has a plan for everything. Long before Jesus was born lived a man named Jesse. Jesse had seven sons; the youngest was named David. When David grew up, he became a great king of Israel. God had a plan for Jesse and for his son David, even before they were born.Jesus was also part of Jesse and David’s family tree, born many, many years after David. People waited a long time for the birth of the savior. The season of Advent is a season of waiting for us, too. We wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is hard to be patient, especially when we are waiting for something wonderful like Christmas! But it is important to learn to be patient, and to trust that God has a plan for us, too.
Talk about:	Why is waiting so hard?
Prayer:	Dear God, we thank you that you have a plan for each of us. Help us to be patient as we wait for Jesus’ birthday.

Pretty simple, huh? And my neice (11), Big Sister (4) and Little Sister (2) all sat and talked about it. Well, Little Sister just rambled on, but the other two were using their noodles!

Tonight we read about Adam & Eve’s Fall tonight (we’re one night ahead because I KNOW we’ll miss one night eventually.. see, planning ahead!). While I was reading Genises Chapter 3, I asked why did Eve eat the fruit? And Big Sister said, “because the snake tricked her!” Maybe it’s just me - but I’m impressed! I love how they are learning God’s Word!

You can either make your own ornaments using some great templates that are available, try to find and purchase some- it’s like a great scavenger hunt for those of you who lurve Christmas shopping, or have some fun being creative  and making your own.

Our Jesse Tree

Jamesy made this world ornament for us!

I was really searching for an apple ornament or a snake… but I found a tiny Christmas tree and stuck a Hi Ho Cherry Oh in there!

I added a few of my favorites so you can get some ideas!

This is tomorrow night’s ornament - about Noah. This is the dove that returns. I was having issues with finding an arc or rainbow or animals grouped together.

For Mary & The Angel. Love it! Thanks, Pier One

And The Big Fish. The Whale. You know? Jonah. You try finding a whale ornament!

Tomorrow I’m off to Hobby Lobby to see what else I can find on sale. The rest will be made for crafts!

I’m loving this, the girls are loving it. I think it’s a keeper for us!

Posted: 11|30|09 at 10:59 pm. Filed under: traditions.
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