Our Jesse "tree"

I've read about the Jesse tree on other blogs during past Christmas seasons.  It was something I wanted us to do as a family and remembered in time this year to prepare. 
The Jesse tree is a way to count down the days until Christmas by showing the lineage of Jesus.  It is based on the verse Isaiah 11:1: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."  Each day in December through Christmas you put on a new ornament that symbolizes a part of Christ's genealogy. 

There are many different ways to make one.  You can do a search for Jesse tree and find plenty of ideas and options.  Another search I did was "free printable Jesse tree ornaments."  Find something that works for you and your family to make it the most meaningful. It can be an actual tree or others I've read about make it into a calendar where you flip over one card each day. 

Ann Voskamp has a free Jesse tree devotional book that is helpful.  It has the verses, pictures and a devotional thought for each day.   

This is what we did. First I found some free printable ornaments.  This is the link for the ones I printed.  Next I colored each one, wrote the number of the day on the corner of each, cut them out, and glued them to red and green scrapbooking paper before laminating them. 

Each day we cut out a new square. We review the previous symbols and talk about how they are all linked and add the new symbol for the day. 

We couldn't decide how to display our ornaments.  I noticed this long section of our wall that was just the right width for our ornaments so we hang them there on a ribbon each  night. 

We have all enjoyed doing this and have learned from it as well.  It has been a great way to count down the days until Christmas because we are reminded of Christ.  He had a plan for us and all the pieces fit together in that plan through the years from Creation until His birth. 

I would also say don't make this "one more thing" to add to your list of things to do during the Christmas season.  It is a great way to get your focus on Christ in my opinion.  Take some time and make it a memorable experience for your family if you choose to make your own Jesse tree. 

Have a day of blessings!