Celebrate Advent with Us!
Starting Friday, December 1st
"The Jesse Tree Story" Advent Devotional
Join us on a unique journey through the biblical narrative from Creation to the Cross. The Jesse Tree uses ornaments to mark each day from the first day in Advent to Christmas. http://circleplastics.co.uk/home Imagine a small, one-and-a-half-foot Christmas tree adorned with paper ornaments for each day of Advent.
The Jesse Tree Story invites you to explore Jesus’s family heritage. http://cathedral-lonavala.org/dscn0419/ Each ornament on the tree signifies a person in Jesus’s family line, with a corresponding Bible passage to read. These stories help us reflect on our adoption into God’s family and that Jesus came to save his family!
We will have these devotionals available for purchase at our Holiday Kickoff Party on Sunday, November 19th at 6:00 pm or you can access them for free below!
Check out the information below to find out how to make this Advent season the best yet!
*Once you click this link, scroll down.
What Does Celebrating Advent Look Like?
Below are the daily rhythms at the heart of Advent, as well as links to valuable resources that will help make this the best Advent yet!
Click the “Prepare”, “Read”, “Pray”, “Sing” tabs below to learn more:
Get ready for Advent
Devotional Book
- Pick up the Devotional book (limited supply) at our Holiday Kickoff Party.
- There is a free digital version of the book at this link. Make sure to scroll down once you click the link to see a link for each day’s devotional.
- You can also purchase the book on Amazon here.
- Pick up the Devotional book (limited supply) at our Holiday Kickoff Party.
Ornaments
- Pick up pre-printed ornaments either pre-colored or uncolored at our Holiday Kickoff Party on Sunday, November 19th at 6:00 pm.
- You can also print them at home at this link.
- You will nee a hole punch and some twine to be able to attach your ornaments to your tree.
Find a Tree
There are various ways to craft your Jesse Tree:
- Find a leafless tree branch with multiple smaller branches, approximately two to three feet long. Place it in a bucket of dirt or rocks and cover the base with green fabric, felt, or paper.
- Craft a felt Jesse Tree by cutting a tree shape with branches out of brown felt. Attach it to a green felt sheet (24″ x 36″) and add small wooden pegs for hanging ornaments. You can also attach Velcro® to the ornaments for easy placement on the felt tree.
- Create a mobile using a tree branch, suspending it from the ceiling with fishing line. Ensure the symbols are balanced for a level branch.
- Use a small tabletop or standing Christmas tree as your Jesse Tree. It’s a convenient and festive option, and you might already have one in storage!
READ
- Get Alone or Round Up the Family: Starting on Friday, December 1st – find a comfortable place to sit, dim the lights, maybe even light a candle! Make this your space to celebrate advent each day.
- Place the Corresponding Ornament on Your Tree: An older child or you can read the Scripture and devotion while the younger children color the picture. For more context, refer to the full Bible passage listed for the day.
- Discuss: Discuss the “wonder” questions together.
ℹ To learn more about how to lead your family in worship, click here.
PRAY
- Offer a simple prayer of thanks for the blessings of the day.
- The ACTS acronym is a good help in prayer:
Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
Confession: Honestly confessing sin to God.
Thanksgiving: Verbalize what you’re grateful for.
Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
SING
- Listen to or sing along with one of your favorite Christmas songs.
- Check out our Advent Spotify playlist at this link. Each day of Advent sing along to the song of the day, picked out by Pastor Andrew!
Advent Devotional for Adults
This year’s adult-oriented Advent Devotional can help you experience a meaningful and enriching Advent this year!
Connect Group leaders also have the opportunity to utilize this resource this Advent in your Connect Group gatherings. This accompanying PDF guide provides a wealth of valuable resources, including:
- Thoughtful Conversation Starters
- Engaging Advent Readings
- Thought-provoking Discussion Questions
To access the Jesse Tree Advent Devotional, simply click the button below:
