The Jesse Tree: A Family Advent Experience

Our Jesse Tree Experience (By Kent Pelton) Over the past 24 years Kathleen and I searched for effective ways to have a family worship time each day. We used many different tools to try and make our family time more than just a routine. When we found a new book with devotions for family or children, perhaps a new Christian novel, or almost anything to try and keep our family devotional time fresh for our children, we would try it. When it came to the Christmas season we would use the Advent wreath on Sundays, but midweek somehow seemed not as meaningful as we desired leading up to Christmas. Then we stumbled across a booklet by Ray and Georgene Anderson titled The Jesse Tree, published by Fortress Press in 1966. This was a novel way for us celebrate during the month leading up to Christmas. But after the first couple of years the devotionals in the booklet, though thoughtful and helpful, were a bit too short. Without even really thinking about it, I expanded naturally upon what the booklet supplied, trying to meet the needs of the various ages of our children. So, we decided to put down on paper what already was taking place in our home. We wanted our children to understand how God had worked his plan of salvation from the beginning of time. There really is more to Christmas than God giving his son, Jesus, to humankind. Leading up to this pinnacle event of human history was the story of many who had been faithful to answer God’s call and were obedient to his voice in spite of many hardships. We want our children and grandchildren to understand that Christmas is more than a celebration of the Christ birth event. It is our intention that our children understand that there is a continual invitation issued by God to be a part of his grand plan for humankind; an integral relationship with the Creator himself. Our hope is that our children will have this to use with their children and that you may find this a helpful tool in developing a deeper relationship with your family and with God through the Christmas season. We have enjoyed special times with our family during this special season. We pray that you will begin to delight in some the blessings we have enjoyed by participating in this season of preparation for Christmas with your family’s Jesse Tree. Other Helpful Jesse Tree Resources: http://www.crivoice.org/jesse.html http://www.shalfleet.net/advent/makeajessetree.htm http://christianity.about.com/od/christmas/qt/jessetreeadvent.htm http://www.eriercd.org/jessetree.htm

this post was filed under Inspirations on Dec 8, 2010