A New Tradition

I was so excited today to find this handmade set of Jesse Tree ornaments.

I have been looking for just the right set for 2 or 3 years now.  The heirloom hand needlepoint set I thought I would get around to making, well....hasn't happened yet.  And I don't want to wait another year.  I love these wooden ornaments and they will be very child friendly!

You can find them here on Etsy

My preschool class made similar symbolic ornaments and used the pictures and symbols to lead us through the Bible narrative to the birth of Christ.  A simple devotion with all of those symbols can be found here.  It was always a gift to see young children grasp that the familiar old testament stories set the stage for the unfolding drama of Christ's birth.

I am thrilled to have this beautiful and handpainted set (from St. Paul, MN!) to use this advent.

Advent is latin for "coming".

Jesse was the father of David, to whom God promised a king from his family - a royal branch in the tree of the Messiah to come.  David's family was disobedient, but our covenant keeping God promised that "out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot...yes, a new branch bearing fruit from the old root - 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" (Isaiah 11:1, 10)

The Old Testament points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ.  "All of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding YES, And through Christ, our 'Amen' (which means "yes") ascends to God for his glory!" (2 Corinthians 2:10)

From Adam to the Messiah we will read the precious redemptive history, the pageantry to mankind, and on Christmas morning, we will proclaim together God's covenant keeping majesty in the glorious gift of Christ.

The first day of advent 2011 will be Sunday, November 27th. Do you have a plan to use with your family?  Maybe this is the year you want to start a new advent tradition with your family.  You still have a few weeks to have it ready.

The Jesse Tree tradtion is one way to actively engage your children of all ages in the celebration of Christ's birth, to draw your family together to worship during the season of advent and to properly understand and teach the history of salvation and the meaning of the incarnation.

I'm anxious to share with you all how it goes as this new tradition unfolds in our home.