our Christmas tradition: the jesse tree

As promised, I'm back after a much needed long weekend to tell ya about a sweet tradition we do as a family, starting the first Sunday of each Advent.

It's called the Jesse Tree.

We've been doing this tradition since Noah was just a little guy, so probably like 8 years or so. My friend Robin makes them and lucky for YOU, she's decided to sell a few sets this year!!

Essentially, it's a set of 28 ornaments each one representing a story in the old testament leading up to the birth of Jesus.

There are so many things I love about this tradition...

1. my kids anxiously await it every year...they love the ornaments

2. it's a great way to keep the Christ in Christmas, if you know what I mean...so little of Christmas is actually Christ centered

3. it's a time we can all sit together each night and read scripture and have a devotion as a family

4. you can do it with all ages of kids

5. it's flexible; you can do one story each night, every other night, once a week...whatever works for you

I took some pics of my set which is pretty old, mind you. My box is slightly crushed, some of the ornaments have been colored on (what kid does that??!!) Some even have bite marks in them...now really...what kid does that?!?!

But I'm showing you anyway, because this is a tradition that has blessed our family so much I'd love for you to do it too!

Some things have changed since Robin made my set. Some of the ornaments are slightly different, the box is smaller, but overall it's the same.
You'll get a booklet with scripture references for each day and a short devotion in two different versions; one for young kids and one for older kids.

Each day you take a different ornament, read the story from the bible that goes with the ornament, and read the devotion.

Each story follows the Israelites from Creation to the birth of Christ.

Here's some of the ornaments, there's 28 in all...one for each day of Advent.

I promise your baby Moses will not have a creepy Sharpie drawn on face. :)

Your apple, representing the fall of man, will not have bite-marks either :)

Each set includes:

-28 handmade ornaments

-booklet with devotions for each day with two versions (for older and younger kids)

-a box with padding and easy storage

Each kit costs $85 plus shipping.

Please email Robin at moslander123@gmail.com for more info...tell her Alicia sent ya :)

Hurry though, she's only got a limited about of sets to sell AND the first Sunday of Advent is this coming Sunday!! (you can start after the first Sunday of Advent, but if we're being proper here, that's the day it's meant to start.)

This makes a great gift or a great gift to your own family.

I'll have a button on my sidebar later today if you need easy reference back here after today.

Hope you're having a great Monday!!

xo,

{alicia}