Isaiah 11:1 "A Shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, a branch out of his roots."
The Jesse Tree is a vehicle to connect the Old and the New Testament, 4000 years of history. The prophecy of Christ to the fulfillment of Christ, the story of the Faithfulness of a Loving, Holy God. The branch is a biblical symbol of newness out of discouragement, it holds great Messianic promise. Throughout the history of the Israelites there is always a longing for the Messiah, a king that would rescue them from oppression. They yearned for freedom and deliverance from the tyranny of the world. From their extreme rebellion, to the years of walking in the commandments of God, the promise stood true. For God is in the business of Covenant Keeping.
So how do we go about Remembering?
Daily readings from Scripture take us down the path of recalling the faithfulness of God.
Symbols, that turn into ornaments, for small or large tress, or maybe even a branch collected in your own back yard. Use your imagination, ask your children their input. It doesn't have to be hard, simple is sometimes the very best. The visual connection between the symbol and the story is very powerful.
Now, pick a time of the day that you and your family can commit to doing this from the Sunday after thanksgiving until Christmas. It may be the morning at breakfast or before bedtime at night. Make the commitment, it is worth the memories! It is worth the remembrance! It is worth the anticipation!
There are some amazing places to visit to find more detailed information from people more knowledgeable than this homeschooling mom.
Jesse Tree Readings
a complete overview, as well as the daily readings, theme, and symbol to be used in a chart form
Parent Devotionals
a great daily devotional for you, as the parent, to understand and be equipped to share with your precious children the blessing of this story
Devotions from Faith Magazine for the Jesse Tree
Another set of dynamic devotions for the family
Ornaments you can print
Faith magazine has a set of ornaments that you can print for your own creative use, for free! Although you can buy ornaments, we are choosing to make our own. Remembrance is more powerful when our own hands are used to create!!
A Holy Experience
Ann has written an ebook for Jesse Tree Devotionals for the Family, it will be available for download this Sunday. She is an amazing writer, the book will be fabulous. You can also find Jesse-Tree Devotional books on-line and at your local Bible bookstores. Do what works for your family, what is easy for you, what will insure your commitment!
I plan to blog each morning with my own written devotions that you are free to use!
Won't you join me? Come, let's take a journey together!
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