This is a Jesse Tree (2014)

It's that time again!  When the coming of our Savior is near and I wait with anticipation to meet him.  This year I find myself that much more eager in expectation of him.  …Maybe because the year before last was a time of loss and despair, and I now, at last,look forward with fresh vision to the promised hope that Jesus brings for new life.

Advent is about waiting.  WE are waiting.  All around the globe, all throughout history, generation after generation we are waiting for our Messiah.  We wait for Christ’s coming. 

Advent comes from the Latin word which means “coming,”  and for the next four weeks as we wait for our Savior we will remember the waiting that began so long ago – the waiting that we join in each year during this season.  It is only Christ who can make Christmas, and it is Christ for whom we wait.  

It’s also about this time of year that I become a little obsessed with Jesse Trees.  Our Jesse Tree is one of our family’s favorite traditions.  This year our kids each chose a few people who are special to them and have impacted them to bless with a gift, and we chose to share this family tradition with them – from our family to theirs.   Our house has been a Jesse Tree factory this last month!  

I love Jesse Trees for so many reasons.  Here are a few of them:

1. It keeps me focused on Christ throughout the Advent season, when it is easy for me to become distracted by the constant comings and goings, lists, parties, and performances.  Instead, I get to sink into the Word of God, and learn more about why Christmas is such a gift.
2. It shows how I fit into the narrative of scripture.
3. It reminds me how much I need this little baby to come.
4. It keeps something that I’ve celebrated every year of my life fresh as new and deeper meaning unfolds.
5. It flings me back to the beginning of the story so I can know it in its full context.  Most of us hear the stories of the Old Testament in our childhood (likely a simplified version that leaves out much of the details that connect the overarching story).  Some never return to these stories to understand them at an adult level.  Many of us don’t understand how they relate to each other, and how the Old Testament prophecies illuminate Christ for us through the work of the Holy Spirit.  For me it’s a chance to remember that story, and marvel at it.
6. The Jesse Tree is accessible to a two year old child or a new believer in Jesus.  It’s also challenging to adults as they reflect spiritually on the texts.  We never reach a point where we’re finished learning, so there’s something for everyone in this one simple tradition. 
7.  One of my greatest passions in life is passing on faith to the next generation.  This is an incredible tool that we can use to open up conversations with our children, communicate important foundational concepts within the Bible stories, AND challenge them to think deeper about them.  
8. It’s something the whole family can do together:  newborn, teenagers, parents, even great-grandparents can gather together to share in this time each day.

I could go on quite a bit more, but I think you may sufficiently grasp my appreciation for the Jesse Tree.

But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself.  You might be asking yourself:  What is a Jesse Tree?

THIS is a Jesse Tree:  

“A tree with roots deep into the past, that finger through the stories of the Old Testament back to the very beginning, and with branches that stretch so high and wide you can see the whole grand panorama of God’s story from the very first blink of the first star over Eden to the blinding light over Bethlehem.”(1)  

The concept stems from Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah who was to come.  David was the first royal branch in the family tree of that promised Messiah.  God vowed to David that his sons and his family would be Kings forever.  So…what were they to think when the kingdom fell?  They felt as though Jesse’s family tree had been chopped right off at the roots.  But our covenant, promise-keeping God announced:  “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)

How will you use your ornaments? 
Twenty-five ornaments.  One for each day in December, as each tells a little more of the story. Each family may choose to use them differently!

• Christmas Tree.  Simply add a new ornament to the Christmas tree each day. 

• Mini-Tree.  Some choose to purchase a mini-Christmas tree for the Jesse Tree ornaments alone. 

• Branch.  Others pot a branch to add the decorations to. 

• Magnetize.  Or, you may choose to add magnets to the back and have your children post them on your fridge to remind them each day that this long wait for Christmas goes back so much further than us.

• Be creative!

How will you tell the story?

1. Read it from your Bible.  This is a great option for families with upper elementary children, especially a translation with simplified English such as the NRIV (as opposed to a paraphrase).  Of course, it’s a great option for using your Jesse Tree as an adult or as a couple as well.
2. Children’s Bible.  This is perfect for sharing the tradition with little ones (such as preschoolers).  A paraphrase with more detail is appropriate for lower elementary ages.  We like "The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible" (Harvest House Publishers) because it includes a majority of the stories in the Bible, whereas most children’s Bibles skip over a significant portion of the Bible, focusing only on a few stories.  A lot is missed!  Personally, I like to read the passage from my Bible in the morning and spend some time reflecting on it myself, and then share the tradition with the family at breakfast or later in the day.  That way I can share what God has been speaking to me through his word, and encourage them to do the same! 
3. Tell the story in your own words.  This is a great way to keep it creative and engage your children.  Maybe an older child would enjoy this honor as well (if he or she is familiar with the story already).

How will you respond to the story?

1. Read a daily devotional or reflection on the Jesse Tree.  I will be sharing something of this sort here.  Sometimes, if it is a difficult topic, I may offer a children’s version of the reflection as well.  There are also many other resources out there.  Hopefully I will have the chance to highlight some in the future. 
2. Discuss.  A great way to dig deeper as a family is to think of some discussion questions that can spark conversation.  Allow the exploration into the passage to take a rabbit trail if everyone is engaged in the scripture-related topic!  I will include discussion questions and ideas for conversation along the way here that you may use with your family if you like. 
3. Learn.  What questions come out of your encounter with the passage?  What about your children?  A great Bible commentary can be a big help.  This year I want to focus in on the bigger story surrounding each passage, and the historical background that might be unfamiliar to me.  I’ll share what I learn in my reflections here on the blog. 
4. Pray.  There are so many rich prayers that the community of faith have prayed over the years, and new prayers that have been written.  Some might be inspired in times of reflection such as these.   I’ll share some.  Please share yours, too!  How will you incorporate prayer into your personal time or family time?
5. Worship through Song.  I find that in my personal reflection time my heart is stirred to worship.  I’ll share links to songs you may want to sing as part of your personal response time (or as a couple or family).  
6. Connect with the Christian Community!  I would love it if you would share comments about how you engage in this tradition together.   How did you or your family respond to the passage?  What did you learn?  What did you do?  What songs did you use for worship?  Is there a prayer you would like to share?  Do you have questions that remain unanswered?

A Jesse Tree is a bit like making your own family tree – it is to trace the “family line and heritage of your own forever family, the Family of God.  This is a Jesse Tree, this stump with a sprout – this is your story!” (1)

This advent I pray that your family will be deeply rooted in this tree!  That from the fallen stump of Jesse, new life will grow in you and me, and even more will be grafted into its branches!

I’m delighted to wait together with you and so many others this Advent.  Let’s begin our journey toward the manger together!  

Go to:  DAY 1

(1) At one time I wrote some notes from Jesse Tree reflections offered by Ann Voskamp, and while I've lost the original source, the quotes stuck with me and I've included them here.