We use a Jesse tree of some sort to count down to Christmas each year. Every day there is a section of the bible to read and a corresponding symbol to add to our tree, beginning with the creation of the world and moving on through some of the main events of the bible to finish on Christmas day with the birth of Jesus.
We started with traditional Jesse tree symbols (ideas for symbols here) to go with scrolls of bible verses, reading from the scroll each day and unwrapping the corresponding symbol. Another year we used clear glass jewels with Jesse tree symbol pictures behind them to make a magnetic Jesse tree (free printable here) and another year we counted down throughout December with the names of Jesus as our symbols. Other times we have used books like “The Jesse Tree” by Geraldine McCaughrean and “Grandpa’s Box” by Starr Meade.
This year we are reading a section a day from Ann Voskamp’s “Unwrapping the Greatest Gift” and using her free printable symbols as well as our own that we have collected from previous years. I usually wrap the symbols because this makes it all the more exciting and the children take turns to open each one. This time I have sewed up some drawstring bags because wrapping them takes ages and from now on I’ll never have to do it again!
Here are our symbols to match the readings in Ann’s book:
- Jesse tree – stump of Jesse prophesy (Place where love grows)
- The world/planets/solar system – creation of the world (Created by love)
- Apple – snake in the Garden of Eden (God is looking for you)
- 3 birds that Noah sent out from the ark – Noah’s Ark (God’s tears)
- Tent – Abraham follows God’s call (Count the stars)
- As many descendants as the stars – Elizabeth’s baby (The gift of laughter)
- Ram – Sacrifice of Isaac (Here I am)
- Ladder – Jacob’s ladder dream (Climbing up)
- Joseph’s coat (Surprise gifts)
- Mini photo frames with the 10 commandments (Ten love rules)
- Red rope – Rahab (The red rope)
- Wheat – Ruth (The little things)
- Crown – Samuel (Looking at things inside out)
- Candle – Isaiah predicts a light in the darkness (A candle in the darkness)
- Fire – Elijah calls down fire (Bowing down)
- Whale – Jonah (Turning around)
- Cottage – Bethlehem prophesy (A true fairy tale)
- Shoe and “E” keyring – Esther (A bridge to the king)
- Tower – Habakkuk (Watch and wait)
- Angel & heart – Zechariah & Elizabeth (God remembers)
- Fish – John the Baptist (Thunder in the dessert)
- Heart with wedding rings – Mary (Wide-awake dreams)
- Tools – Joseph (He can’t stay away)
- Mary holding a baby – birth of Jesus (Kneel at the manger)
- Star – leading to the manger (Never-ending Christmas)
Filed under: Celebrations, events & festivals (Christmas, birthdays etc.), Uncategorized | Tagged: advent, Christian, Christmas, Jesse tree | Leave a comment »
With rice and other messy fillers it is a good idea to spread a sheet or mat under the play area to catch the spills. At the end of play time it can be lifted up and simply poured back into the container without a lengthy pack-up, which will quickly dampen enthusiasm for sensory play in the future. I also find that the children always want to take the materials out of the main tub and work next to it rather than in it. Instead of fighting this continuously I now place a large shallow tray (or lid from the tub itself) next to the main tub so that they can set out the material as they please without creating a horrendous mess outside of the box itself.
We usually decorate the house on the weekend closest to the 1st of December but this year we have some busy times coming up so we decided to get an early start. Our Christmas tree is decorated fairly sparingly because it will become our 
One tradition we like is to have the youngest child in the family place the star on top of the tree once the decorating is done.
Watching Daddy as he turns on the tree lights for the first time. The children tell us that one of the things they love to do through December is to lay on the floor in the dark each evening and listen to our Christmas stories while watching the Christmas tree lights. 
We have collected several nativity sets over the years and have looked hard for those that can be handled by little fingers without being easily broken. This year we have bought out the same sets again but presented them a little differently with this large mirror I found secondhand as a backdrop. With the rocks and small stones to manipulate and create with, along with our wooden blocks, the children have enjoyed setting up all sorts of arrangements already, even if I do have to take out the occasional truck or car at the end of a day of play in Bethlehem.
We try to make as many of our decorations as possible about the real meaning of the season. We want people to walk into our house and be able to see that we love God. While everything is not beautiful, perfectly coordinated or particularly fancy, the children love setting it out and we like the festive feel it gives the room.(Not that we have anything against beautiful or fancy – I think Christmas decorations make wonderful Christmas gifts!!)
Our advent wreath and candles are lit each evening as we read and count down the days to Christmas day, when the white candle symbolising the birth of Jesus is lit. 
We have delivered a 
Triumphal entrance Palm branches, donkey
I go to prepare a place in heaven for you
Last Supper Goblet, bread
Servant King Bowl of water, washcloth, soap – wash each others’ feet
Judas 30 silver coins
Garden of Gethsemane
Caiaphas torn cloth for his torn robe, cotton wool ball clouds of heaven
Simon Peter Rooster feathers, handcuffs (arrested)
Pontius Pilot Bowl of water and jug, shimmering blue stones for water
The soldiers Dice, spears, crown of thorns, red cloth, scarlet cloak, nails
Simon of Cyrene Wooden cross
The thieves 3 crosses standing in bowl of sand
Nicodemus White shroud
The women spices; cloves, cinnamon, jar of ointment
The Tomb Empty eggs, empty tomb, butterfly (risen and changed)
Jesus appears – various; Fish & camp fire, sheep (feed my sheep)
We have been searching out our Blessing Buddies each day to find out how we will be blessing someone else rather than ourselves this Christmas. Rather than a new blessing every day we have chosen a few bigger blessings to work towards this time.
We cooked up a storm for a ladies high tea at our home which was a blast as we served 22 hard working women from our church as a way to thank and bless them for all they do throughout the year.
The children made take home gifts for the ladies. These snow covered luminaries were very effective and so easy. Jars painted with PVA glue and sprinkled with epsom salts sparkled and the electric tea lights gave a lovely glow to the tables. We found an old Christmas tree on the side of the road during verge collection and cut off all the branches and berries to make the napkin rings and jar decorations, as well as mini Christmas trees is pots.
We will be dropping off biscuits to the pastoral team and workers in the church office today as a thank you to them. The children have created hand-made thank you cards to go with them. The Blessing Buddies did get into the choc-chips first though!
My eldest son used branches from the park to put together the stable we used for our new nativity this year and the separate parts have been arriving daily with the Blessing Buddies.
Occasionally the blessing of the day includes the children and they were lucky enough to be able to eat the Blessing Buddies’ bowling balls.
“What’s in the box?” hasn’t been that much of a hit this year. The purpose of this in the past has been to give the youngest child (usually 18 months to 2 1/2 or 3) something new and interesting to play with while the older children work on the craft or blessing of the day. This year though the youngest is too young for it and has her own table activities and the next youngest (3 1/2) would rather do the same activities as the other children. Next year it will be back in full force as our little one will be the perfect age but I have let it slide for now in favour of our craft of the day. The pretend play cooking activity above would have been loved last year but just hasn’t hit the mark with the in-between ages this time.
angathome 