the Advent tree - traditions

The Advent Tree is something we added to our family traditions when Noah was finally old enough to participate more fully.  I originally got the idea from the old tradition of the ”Jesse Tree,” but we call ours an Advent Tree and focus more specifically on the Incarnation and birth narratives as well as waiting and watching for Jesus’ Return (which is a bit different from the way the Jesse Tree devotionals are laid out – either is great, the above is just our preference).

Every year, we set up a little tree in our dining room that we call the “Advent Tree.”  We set it up at the same time as our regular Christmas tree and turn on the lights after our Matthew 25 devotional (usually before Advent starts).  Then starting on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the first night of the Advent Wreath too, we have daily devotions as a family (ours are in the evenings).  At the end of that time together, Noah (and when Ephraim gets to be old enough to participate, we will divide them up between both boys) gets to put a new ornament on the Advent Tree that somehow symbolizes what we have just read in the Word.  Sometimes it’s a stretch, but you just have to be creative.  You can make homemade ornaments as another great DIY Advent project, which can be a very good hands on way to reinforce the heart of Jesus during Christmas and Advent for kids, or use ornaments you already have that will work, and/or you can purchase ornaments.  We do a little of all three.  For any that are store-bought, we try to add just a few ornaments that are new or just better each year (rather than making a big purchase up front).  (A good time to shop for them as right before Christmas or right after – for next year).

We also have an Advent Calendar that hangs on our refrigerator. We have several of these that were handed down from Stephen’s family, and we have one or two that we bought. You can find these at christianbook.com and depending what you get, they are relatively inexpensive.  If you are a Pinterest follower or just really creative yourself, there are lots of great DIY Advent calendar ideas out there as well.

Every morning, Noah opens the appropriate “window” on the Advent calendar, and we read the verse together.  The verses are very short, so it’s a great tool for memorizing and talking specifically about different events surrounding the birth of Christ each day.

For our evening times of devotion as a family, we basically combine the themes or verses from our Calendar, our daily Bible Reading (mine and Stephen’s), and the Wreath wherever and however we can.  I am including the verses we are using for our evening devo times this year, some suggestions that could be used for ornaments, and the general theme for the devo on the chart below.  If it doesn’t show up in your browser, I’ve also included a pdf file that you can click on.  Sorry if it looks a bit weird on phones or tablets (suggest looking at the pdf instead if you are using an iPhone, etc). If you decide to do an Advent or Jesse Tree with your family, you are more than welcome to use all or parts of what we are doing and make it your own. Enjoy!

Advent Bible Reading 2011 (click to view pdf version)

Advent Tree 2011 (click to view pdf version)

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Day & Date	Advent Tree Verses – Family Devo	Ornament/Symbol Ideas	Theme
Sun, Nov 27th	1 Pet 1:10-13 & Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 & Titus 2:11-14	Jesus or Isaiah 9	Prophets’ Candle – Candle of Hope: “Unto us a child is born…”
Mon, Nov 28th	John 1:1-5 & Heb 1:1-3	Creation	Jesus was in the beginning & His role in Creation
Tues, Nov 29th	John 1:9-13 & John 9:5	Lit Star atop Advent Tree	Jesus is the Light of the world
Weds, Nov 30th	John 1:14	Word became Flesh	The Word became flesh & dwelt among us
Thurs, Dec 1st	Col 1:15-20	Earth/Globe	Jesus made all things, upholds all things, He is supreme & over all things
Fri, Dec 2nd	Phil 2:6-11	Cross	He humbled Himself at the Cross, Jesus is exalted above all
Sat, Dec 3rd	Psalm 24	Crown/Scepter – King	Jesus is the King of Glory
Sun, Dec 4th	Isa 40:1-11 & 1 Pet 1:13-25	Heart	Preparation Candle – Candle of The Way: Preparing & examining our hearts
Mon, Dec 5th	Luke 1:5-17, 24-25	Angel	Angel visits Zechariah; Elizabeth’s pregnancy
Tues, Dec 6th	Luke 1:39-45	Donkey	Mary visits Elizabeth
Weds, Dec 7th	Luke 1:57-66, 80	Baby Boy or Birth	Birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner
Thurs, Dec 8th	Malachi 3:1 & Mark 1:1-3	Scroll/Message	The messenger and forerunner
Fri, Dec 9th	Tit 2:11-13 & Zech 14:4, 7, 9	Hope	Longing for Jesus’ Appearing & Return
Sat, Dec 10th	Rev 19:5-9a, 11-16 & Rev 21:1-5a	Bridegroom or White Horse or King of Kings	Faithful & True Rider, Warrior Bridegroom, King of Kings & Lord of Lords who is coming and who will make all things new
Sun, Dec 11th	Matthew 2:9b-11 & 1 Peter 1:8-9 & John 15:9-11 & Isaiah 12:2-5 (Isaiah 35:10)	Joy	Shepherds’ Candle – Candle of Joy:  joy in Christ at His birth, joy in Christ now, joy in His Return and Reign, rejoicing in His leadership
Mon, Dec 12th	Luke 2:8-14	Singing Angels or Glory to God in the Highest	Shepherds and the angels; “Glory to God in the Highest”
Tues, Dec 13th	Luke 2:15-20	Shepherds	The shepherds see Jesus, rejoice and tell everyone
Weds, Dec 14th	Matthew 2:1-7	Camel or Star	Wise men journey to Bethlehem
Thurs, Dec 15th	Matthew 2:8-11	Wise Men	Wise men give gifts to Jesus
Fri, Dec 16th	Mark 14:3-9 & Rev 5:7-14	Gifts or Treasure	Giving everything to Jesus because He is worthy
Sat, Dec 17th	Psalm 47	Music or Rejoice	Sing to Jesus, He is the King & Ruler over all
Sun, Dec 18th	John 3:16 & 1 John 3:1-2 & 1 John 4:8-10 & 1 Cor 13	Love	Bethlehem Candle – Candle of Love: the journey to Bethlehem and the love of God revealed through Jesus Christ
Mon, Dec 19th	Luke 1:26-27	Angel	Angel Gabriel visits Mary
Tues, Dec 20th	Luke 1:28-30	Mary	Angel’s greeting & description of Mary
Weds, Dec 21st	Luke 1:31 & Isaiah 7:14	Immanuel	His name is Jesus, Immanuel (God with us)
Thurs, Dec 22nd	Matthew 1:18, 20-23	Joseph	Angel visits Joseph in a dream (His name is Jesus, Immanuel)
Fri, Dec 23rd	Luke 1:32, 35-38	Crown	The baby is a King – He is the Son of God – He is God
Sat, Dec 24th	Luke 2:1-7	Jesus in Manger	The Birth of Christ
Sun, Dec 25th	Luke 2:1-21 & Matthew 1:18-25	Happy Birthday Jesus or Nativity	Christ Candle:  The King is born!
evening 25th	Rev 21:1-7, vs10-26 & Rev 22:1-5, vs12-13, vs16-17		Come, Lord Jesus!

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