Can our Traditions age with our Children?
We’ve shared over the years how we our Jesse Tree Advent traditions have grown with our children.
We started at age 3 and now our oldest is 15!
What have we tried?
- First, we told the stories to them by pointing at the pictures in my Bible in Stories (approx. ages 3-5)
- Then, we read the stories to them (ages 6-8)
- Next, we had them read the Bible in Stories each night to us when they learned how to read well (ages 9-10)
- Then they re-told the stories to us from memory (age 11)
- And this year, I created an Advent Journal to go along with the Scripture readings! (ages 12+)
They will read the Bible passage for the day and answer 3 questions – one being that they have to ask a good question! When we gather for Advent time around the tree in the evening, the idea is that they will share from their reflections and we’ll help to answer their questions.
As you can see over the years, we’ve tried to help the conversation keep maturing, and for them to grow in their ability to re-tell the story, showing ownership over it and now getting in to the Word for themselves!
To print your own FREE Advent Journal, download the .pdf here. *Print double-sided, flip on short edge.
They can be folded and stapled along the center fold or I cut my booklet down the middle and comb-bound it. These can be printed every year as your traditions continues!
Remember, the Word of God is a living & active Book & through the work of the Holy Spirit,
we will never stop learning from God’s Word. You may want to print a copy of your own & do this together as a family!
In Our Advent box each day is:
- Intentional Traditions Jesse Tree Advent ornament
- Molded chocolate to match the story or chocolate coin
- A few Lego pieces to build anticipation until the set is completed on Christmas Day
Daily Advent Routine:
- Point, read or tell the Jesse Tree Story from the Bible or “His Story: Biblical Events Pointing Toward Jesus” by Don Love
- Discuss questions or reflections from the Advent Journal
- Enjoy what is in the Advent Box & hang up ornament
- Sing & pray together, reflecting on the story for the day
If you are are just starting with little ones, why not check out my Minute Advent videos on our Youtube channel?
These will get you started with a short daily lesson & simple tangible activity to help make it memorable! If you follow along, I’d love to hear from you in a message or video!