| The Jesse Tree and Advent wreath are two very | | | | Testament is the first passage that serves as a |
| common items Christians have used to mark four | | | | reminder. This is a great jump off point for parents to |
| week period before Christmas called Advent or the | | | | have a discussion of why there is Christmas tree and |
| six period that was known as Celtic Advent. In the | | | | how a Jesse Tree is a similar thought. |
| modern time Advent has become a great way to | | | | Additionally in our modern day we often use the |
| stay focused on Christ and helping families overcome | | | | Christmas tree to tell a story of our own families, just |
| the commercial hurdles that Christmas represent. | | | | as Jesse Tree recalls the history of Jesus' family. The |
| The Jesse Tree is an older customer that was the | | | | focus on the family of Jesse was foretold in the Old |
| precursor to the Christmas tree. It includes the creating | | | | Testament. Jesus and David came from the same |
| of ornaments that represent events in the salvation | | | | family and Jesse is the father of David. It was also |
| story and within Jesus' family Tree. The focus of the | | | | foretold that David and Messiah, Jesus, would come |
| Jesse tree is based in the Old Testament and process | | | | from the same family. David was the last king of Israel |
| though Genesis and ends with the Gospel of John, on | | | | prior to the coming of the Messiah. Other popular |
| the Birth of Christ (John 1:1-18) on Christmas day. | | | | stories included for the first week of advent is |
| The Celebration of Advent uses the Advent wreath | | | | Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, Isaac, Jacob. The |
| and the family lights the candles each night at their | | | | second week moves into Gods promises and the |
| table. They light one Advent candle the first week, two | | | | character of Joseph, Moses, Israelites, The 10 |
| advent candles the second weeks, three the third | | | | Commandments, Joshua Gideon, and Samuel. The |
| week and of course all four advent candles get lit for | | | | third week which is the week of Joy as we anticipate |
| the last week. There are prayers that can be used but | | | | Christ's coming, features David, Elijah, Hezekiah, Isaiah, |
| also the stories that go with the Jesse Tree are also | | | | Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Nehemiah. The last week is |
| great readings to be read as the candles are lit and to | | | | the focused on the New Testament characters with |
| be discussed as each family has dinner. | | | | Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph, the Magi and Jesus. |
| The first day of course states with the lesser known | | | | All these figures lead us though our salvation history |
| story of the Jesse Tree and how the Jesse Tree | | | | and a great way for families to reflect on these |
| was inspired by 1 Sam 16: 1-13. If you are using a Jesse | | | | events each year. The Jesse Tree and Advent |
| tree in addition to your advent wreath, that symbol | | | | Wreath have prefect relationship help us stay rooted |
| would be a Tree. The use of a tree, although arising | | | | in the real meaning of Christmas. |
| though pagan tradition is rooted within the Old | | | | |