Jesse Tree

Now that we're in a home of our own, I've been thinking alot about Christmas and Christmas traditions. One of the new things I've been studying and reading about, is something called a Jesse Tree. It's basically a tree with ornaments that have a special meaning about Christ or the Bible (for instance, an ark for Noah's ark). It is used during the month of December in some churches to teach about the coming of Christ (His birth anyways). After reading about it, I thought it might be interesting to do something similar with our family. (Well, we don't have kids yet, but I thought it'd be neat to do with kids weekly). I came up with a purpose and a list of things I'd do, and thought I'd share it with you.

"Jesus Tree: To learn about God's plan from the beginning of time, and how it relates to us.

God loves us. Very much. Even from when we first sinned in the garden of Eden, He had a plan to save us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas is often a one-day splurge of activity and celebration. But there's more to Christ than His birth and more to the story than 33 years. Let's take a look."

Then, what I've done, is made 16 Bible lessons with a verse to think about, questions, and an ornament craft to work on with the kids. Every lesson, we'd make an ornament and hang it on a bare-branch tree. Christmas day, I'd change the bare-branch tree to a full evergreen, decorated with lights and new ornaments. Here is the basic outline:

1. Adam & Eve. Key verse: Genesis 3:14,15. Symbol: Snake or fruit.
2. Noah's Ark. Key Verse: Gen 6:5,6. Symbol: Dove, boat, or prism.
3. Abraham's Offspring. Genesis 17:7. Symbol: Star.
4. Jacob's Blessing. Gen 28:14. Symbol: Angel or ladder.
5. Judah's Inheritance. Gen 49:10. Symbol: Seal, scepter, or jewel.
6. Moses' Method. Deut. 7:9 Symbol: Red ribbon or red glass ornament (blood sacrifice)
7. Ruth's Righteousness. Ruth 1:16. Symbol: wheat
8. Jesse's Geneology. Is. 11:1 Symbol: Branch or leaf.
9. David's Throne. Jer 23:5. Symbol: Crown.
10. Immanuel. Is 7:14. Symbol: The word Immanuel or the letter I
11. Bethlehem's Child. Micah 5:2. Symbol: shed, nativity or house
12. Eternal Life. Psalm 16:10. Symbol: the word Joy.
13. Prince of Peace. Is 9:6. Symbol: The letter P or something white.
14. Man of Sorrows. Is 53:7. Symbol: thorn or tear
15. Out of Eygpt. Hos 11:1. Symbol: potporri or pyramid.
16. The Great Shepherd. Is 35:3. Symbol: Sheep or candy cane.
17. Christmas Day. Matt 1,2. Lights to represent the Light of the world. Gold to represent His majesty. White to represent His holiness. Green to represent His life. Hang up Jesus' many names as ornaments.
    

Here is what a lesson looks like:

Day One: Adam and Eve

Text: Genesis 3:1-19

Key Verse: Genesis 3:14,15

Symbol: Fruit (Dried Apple Ornament)

To Think About:

• Even from the very beginning, God loved us past our sin and made a plan for us. Part of His plan was to send His Son.
• Can you see where it talks about this in these verses?
• Where is it pointing to Jesus?
• What does it say Jesus will do?

Read these as well:

• John 1:1
• Isaiah 59:1-3

What are some things you do around this holiday time?