In our household, we started celebrating a Jesse Tree Advent early –

with a distracted toddler and big ideals.

 

We knew he couldn’t repeat back the stories or answer theological questions, but we also believed that we were establishing a foundation we could continue to build on. As we reflected on our own childhood and what our peers were doing, we felt a sense of loss in that common, aching, search for “more” at Christmas time. We had to carve our own path, centered around intentional time in God’s Word, with traditions we dreamed they would someday want to pass on. It has evolved with their age and attention but, essentially: a nightly Bible story, hanging the ornament to match the story, receiving a few Legos and an occasional chocolate, singing and praying together.

 

Ten years later, we have seen the fruit of those nights spent wrestling to keep the story book open or getting our sons out from behind the couch in order to listen. They crawled away and closed the book we were reading to them, cried from exhaustion and disregarded our questions at times. But in the end, we were able to forge a few traditions that they are more than happy to continue. In fact, they are counting down in November to December 1. Advent (countdown) to the Advent!

 

Advent has become a centerpiece in our home and the definition for us of family time – that all else slows down so that we can pause in December each evening together. We relax and snack and sing. The boys are now old enough to read the Bible in Stories to us. They have memorized the major Bible timeline in order and they anticipate the stories with their own additions now.

 

We were consistent to sow & now are reaping the harvest.

We want to encourage you to press on, no matter when you are starting!

 

WHY?

• The repetition has led to our creativity. When you’ve repeated these traditions so many times, you have to get creative with how to do it again and keep their interest or challenge them. In fact, they will come to expect spontaneity, assuming there may be aspects different than last year. What different snack can we make? What different character can they dress up as? What other symbol from the story can we make an object lesson with? What started out as my idea, became Our idea, one that they own and look ahead to add to what we did the year before. What has become their idea I foresee will become part of their family DNA someday.

 

 

• The focus has led to our depth. Our goal was that “our mind’s affection and heart’s devotion be on Him.” That’s something we often say in our house and while we can’t make them choose to love God, we model our commitment by our consistency to the Bible teaching through the years. The lessons and discussions, though only 10-15 minutes, have increased their attention span and again, the repetition makes them look for other aspects of the story they hadn’t seen before. After all, we are going to read the same Bible for the rest of our lives, how can we continue to seek God and learn more through the same Words? We can teach this with our questions or considering the perspectives of the different characters in the story. And we have the benefit of being a part of our children’s deepening walk with God. Don’t miss out on a further understanding of these stories and why they are important!

 

 

• The tradition has met our purposes. Our purposes? 1) To find ways to focus on Christ amidst this crowded holiday; 2) to put on emphasis on slowness and reflection rather than stress; 3) to give them something to look forward to and build anticipation for the coming again of Christ; 4) to give them an overview of the Bible; 5) to establish their father as a spiritual authority; 6) to foster conversations and give them a sense of belonging in our family. 
  • Now, we didn’t sit down and write out this list when he was three, but as we look back, we can see what we were doing and further develop them. I think they like that we haven’t “given up on them” as they’ve gotten older. We haven’t treated family time like it was only for when they were young, but kept it an expectation in our home. And the more input we let them have now that they are older, the more they see it as our time, not just my lesson.

 

 

But to be fair, I asked my almost 14-year-old for his feedback.

“I like it because when you’re younger you discuss the stories a little but now we get to go deeper and talk about the meanings, and symbolism and what happened in more detail. You remember the stories better if read them each year. And, of course, I like the chocolates and LEGOs…“

– actual words of my 13 year old

 

 

As they get older, the lessons and discussions will get more in depth and you will be blessed to lead and be a part of it as they gain responsibility for them. If you started too young or expected too much, try it again! If you’re worried your kids are too old to start, let them help you build a tradition and try it with their remaining years at home. Define your own purposes, and build and adapt until you begin to see the fruit of what you desire to pass on. Invite the Lord to help you define what that should look like for your family’s needs, and not someone else’s. The investment will be worth it. 

 

 

WANT TO START YOUR OWN TRADITIONS?

 

You can find our original Intentional Traditions Jesse Tree Set with Lessons in our Etsy shop!

• Jesse Tree Advent set with Reading Guide
• Jesse Tree Advent Book by Don Love
• Complete Year of Celebration Set – Jesse Tree Advent & Passover to Easter
• Christian Passover Easter Jesse Tree Ornaments and Lessons 

Articles that can help:

• 10 Ideas for Celebrating a Jesse Tree Advent with Pre-Schoolers 
• Bringing Christ to your Christmas Tree
• 6 Adorable Ways to Display your Jesse Tree

Feel free to leave a link in the comments below with an idea or resource your family enjoys.