This is a beautiful, bible-based devotion that both Catholic and Christians do during Advent. In this post, I will explain everything you need to do this Advent devotion with your family.
First, you will need a tree. I use just a small tree that I probably purchased from Walmart for $10. You don’t need a fancy or expensive tree, so just find one that works for your budget.
Next, you will need ornaments. You can buy or make these ornaments. I’ll be honest, I am not a DIYer, so I purchased my ornaments [LINK] on Amazon (but you can also find them on Etsy). I have even heard of moms doing an ornament exchange. Simply get a group together and have each person make 5 of one ornament to be exchanged with others. The ornaments I purchased have a picture on one side and the title and scripture verses on the other side. So if you don’t have a book or don’t want to purchase one, you can just look up the scriptures on the back of the ornament, read them with your family, and then hang the ornament on the tree.
Finally, you will need a devotional book with readings for each day. I have been using “The Advent Jesse Tree” for a few years now, and I love it! Each day you will read the chapter of the book for that day. Each reading has a section for children with scriptures, a devotional reading, and a prayer. The readings also have a section for adults as well, so it is great for the whole family. The readings really help to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas with readings from the Old Testament and amazing discussion questions that you and the kids will love. The devotions start on December 1st, which makes it super easy to remember what day you are on.
To pray the Jesse Tree devotion, read the scripture or readings for the day, say a prayer, and hang the ornament on the tree. We have done this reading in the morning some years and at dinner time other years, so figure out what works best for your family and go with it.
I hope you and your family enjoy doing this devotion as much as our family does.
One Response
I did this devotion this Advent. I didn’t have a special book with readings, but I read the Scripture verses with the Lectio Divina method and prayed with them on my own. I’m not married and I don’t have children, but I will surely try a Jesse Tree book with my own future family!
Thank you very much for your ministry, you inspire me a lot in the living of my Catholic faith. I started practicing the Catholic faith when I was 18. And I love the Catholic faith very much!
Greetings from Germany