‘Tis the Season- Ideas to Celebrate
Presents hide in the closet and wish lists grow with advertisements. But wrapped boxes under a lighted tree aren’t where I want our focus to be.
I want my family to reflect on the liturgy of the season, traditions reminding our forgetful souls of the miracle of Christmas.
One tradition that intrigues me is the Jesse Tree. A Jesse Tree teaches the genealogy of Jesus by reading a Scripture verse and hanging a symbolic ornament each day of advent. It is a hands-on way of infusing the countdown to Christmas with meaning and wonder.
Jesse Trees
- Simple Mom shares her ideas for creating a Jesse Tree- a thorough look at simple ways of making a new tradition
- Shanan Trail made a Jesse Tree I want to copy- includes links to instructions and Scripture verses
- Domestic-Church.com has a similar idea created from sticks- use supplies gathered by your children in nature
Other Advent Activities
- My Little Mochi used bits of paper and gum to make an advent calender- simple and cute way to help your children track the days
- Sharing the Journey has an advent study using the inductive method- free thought-provoking lessons for download
- Let a Woman Learn compiled a nice selection of biblical readings- thoughtful reflections and beautiful images
- Homeschool in the Woods produced lessons about Christmas- explore the meaning of traditions in every subject
- Easy Fun School has a unit study devoted to Christmas hymns- add depth and understanding to worship
- Desiring God brings biblical stories to life with a collection of poems- listen or read these inspiring words
During this season, my children and I ruffle through the craft closet. In an effort to express gratitude, we plan to make as many gifts as possible.
Gifts Kids Can Make
- Handprints on the Wall shares a few simple, cute handprint crafts- capture the memories of growth
- Activity Village has instructions for making photo frames- use old CD boxes to create these unique frames
- Just Pure Lovely helped her daughter turn her drawing into a keepsake- a great way to introduce sewing
- Secret Agent Josephine made cards from her toddler’s watercolors- turn little one’s creations into altered art any relative will treasure
What are you creating this season? What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season no matter how you celebrate!
All photos are linked to their owners. Used by permission. Also, thanks to oohamanda and 3stairs for links sent to me via Twitter.
Fantastic post, Renae! I’ll be coming back to this over and over again. Also – thanks for the link love, dearie!
I love creating for Christmas! We’re making all kinds of crafts here– decorations, gifts, foods– and we’re making memories in the process.
Thanks for some great ideas!
Renae,
Thanks for taking the time to put together this post! I have linked in to many of the sites and found wonderful ideas. I will come back and finish. Sadly, my time alone is over. I am on duty. It is time to do school!
Thanks for all the great ideas!
amazing post. Thank you so much!
Wonderful post, Renae! My favorite tradition is one I wish I’d done, but read about it too late. A homeschool mom of young children blogged about it.
She set up a nativity scene in her living room, and put Joseph and Mary at the other end of the house. Then she had her preschoolers move Joseph and Mary toward the manger scene a little bit each day, so that on Christmas Eve, they arrived at the manger. Then they added Baby Jesus to the manger. How cool is that? :)
I have never heard of the jesse trees before, but that is a really great idea that I will be trying out this year!
I’m so glad that we are twitterfriends!
Thanks for putting this list together! I’m going to go through each one and bookmark them. I’m always keeping an eye open for new ideas to use each Advent season. Thanks!!
We are doing our first Jesse tree this year! We printed out the ornaments last night and ds is busy is cutting them out now. He is excited about putting them on his tree! He has a little 3 ft. tree so this year it will be our Jesse tree. We are also doing an Advent study for the first time. Dh is getting involved and we are doing it right after dinner. This is truly going to be a Christmas to remember. One of our 5 yr old boys (we have twins) asked Jesus in his heart last night – my dh’s birthday!
I’m so glad you are finding good ideas. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Crystal,
You are welcome. Thanks for sharing all those great links.
Julie,
Thank you for allowing me to share your post. Your tree is such a great idea. I look forward to making one.
Are you using it again this year with David and Beverly?
Barbara,
That is a good idea.
We always set out a nativity set for the kids. My little ones enjoy acting out the story. I finally found a set that I’m hoping will last for years. It is an adorable Hallmark set designed for children. I found it at a dollar store! :D
Someone from my local homeschool group sent me an idea by email about Christmas stockings. They fill a lone stocking with notes about how they serve others during advent. Then they take it to church to give to Jesus. Mothers are so creative!
Summer,
How wonderful! I can’t think of a better Christmas present.
It reminds me of lines from Christina Rossetti’s poem In the Bleak Midwinter,
And I look forward to hearing more about your Jesse Tree. ;)
I have an advent calendar based on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that I use each year. I also attend a friend’s open house each year and sing Christmas carols-it is great!
Thank you too! I updated my post at my blog to include a link to you so your “Ideas to Celebrate” is now included.
Blessings!