advent devotions for families · 25 stories from scripture leading to jesus’ birth. each week of...

Advent Devotions for Families“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wis-

dom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

Isaiah 11:1-2

Jesse Tree

Jesse Tree: Advent Devotions for Families

an adaptation of God With Us: Evening Advent Devotions for Families

©2011 Elizabeth Stewart

compiled by Anne Calvin and Sarah Lundgren

designed by Katie Burns

The name “Jesse Tree” comes from Isaiah 11:1“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” We make a Jesse Tree by cutting a dead branch, placing it in a vase, and hanging a new ornament for each day of Advent. The Jesse Tree symbol reminds us that Christ came from “the stump of Jesse”, Jesse’s tree, and all of God’s story beginning with Creation points to the coming of Christ as Messiah. The Jesse Tree is an advent calendar in which we read stories from Creation to the birth of Jesus. As we wait to celebrate the newborn King, God with us, we remember the stories of His steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations.

How Do I Use a Jesse Tree with an Advent Wreath?

Each day of Advent, families are encouraged to light the candles of the advent wreath and read a story from scripture. Before reading, chil-dren may hang the new ornament for that specific story on the Jesse Tree. Each day families can review the stories represented by previous ornaments, so that by Christmas, together they will be able to retell 25 stories from scripture leading to Jesus’ birth. Each week of Advent, families are encouraged to sing and learn a different Advent hymn, and to memorize a portion of Isaiah 9:6-10 along with reading the Jesse Tree scripture stories.

Families are encouraged to use as little or as much of these devotional components as fit their family. This guide is created to encourage fami-lies to gather each day together around the advent wreath, symbolizing the Light of Christ who has come into the world, the Holy One who was, and is, and is to come, so that by spending time together in His presence and in His word, we may also bear His Light and remember His faithfulness to all generations this Advent season.

What is a Jesse Tree?

A Note on Reading and Retelling the Stories(by Liz Stewart)

Before you read the new story each evening, ask for a volunteer to retell the bible story from the previous evening. You can also retell the story together, encouraging young children to tell the parts they know, or in the case of very young children, simply letting them fill in missing words as you tell the story.

Children should never feel as though this is a test of some kind, or that they are required to participate in retelling. Let them observe you struggling to remember details or the right chronology! Help them to see that these are the stories of our faith which we treasure, and in telling and retelling them over and over we make them our own, partic-ipating not just in the telling, but in the living in light of them.

When you read the new story, you could read it more than once, and ask children to imagine themselves close to a different character each time, noticing their reactions or imagining what their feelings might be.

You could encourage each person in the family to ask one question once you have finished reading. Those questions can be “I wonder questions” that may not have a clear answer. They might be very simple questions about content, or deeper questions about meaning. Being included in asking questions also helps young children to know that they are not being tested, but instead have a part to play too in the discovery of the meaning of a biblical text.

Invite the Spirit to be present and trust that he is as you come together around God’s Word!

Jesse Tree StoriesBeginning the 1st Sunday of Advent, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013

Depending on ages of children in your family, you may want to read from a children’s bible or from scripture. Two children’s bibles recommended

for these specific stories in the Jesse Tree are:

The Jesus Storybook Bible (JSB) by Sally-Lloyd Jones and The Jesus Calling Bible Storybook (JCBS) by Sarah Young

1) Intro of the Jesse Tree, 1st story--God:

JSB: “The beginning: a perfect home”Genesis 1-2

2) Adam and Eve JSB: “The terrible lie”

Genesis 3

3) NoahJSB: “A new beginning”

Genesis 6-9

4) Abraham and SarahJSB: “Son of laughter”

Genesis 17:15-18:15, 21:1-7

5) IsaacJSB: “The present”

Genesis 22

6) JacobJCSB: p.48-51

Genesis 25

7) JosephJCSB: p.54-61 or JSB “The forgiving prince”

Genesis 37-46

8) MosesJCSB: p.68-73

Exodus 3-4

9) Joshua and RahabJCBS: p. 78-81

Joshua 5:13-6:27

10) RuthJCSB: p. 88-91

The book of Ruth

11) SamuelJCBS: p. 94-95I Samuel 1-3

12) JesseJCBS: p. 96-97

1 Samuel 16:1-13

13) DavidJSB: “The teeny weeny true king”,

“The young hero and the horrible giant”, “The Good Shepherd”or JCSB, p.96-105

1 Samuel 17

14) JobJCSB: pp.108-109Job 1-2, 26-28, 42

15) ElijahJCSB: p. 110-111

1 Kings 18

16) ElishaJCSB: p. 112-113

2 Kings 6

17) DanielJCSB: p. 128-131 or JSB “Daniel & the Scary Sleepover” p. 152-159

Daniel 6

18) EstherJCSB: p. 132-135

Esther 2-8

19) IsaiahJCSB: p. 120-121

or JSB: “Operation no more tears”Isaiah 6-9

20) MaryJCSB: p. 140-141

or JSB: “He’s here!”, p. 176-179Luke 1:26-38

21) Zecharaiah and ElisabethJCSB: p. 142-143

Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

22) John the BaptistJSB: “Heaven Breaks Through” p. 200 or JCSB: p.154-155

Matthew 3

23) The MagiJSB: “The King of all kings”

p. 192-199Matthew 2:1-12

24) JesusJSB: p. 180-183

Luke 2:1-21

25) ChristJSB: “The Light of the whole world”

p. 184-191 John 1:1-14

Advent Week 1Say together:Child: “The people walking in darkness…”Family responds: “…have seen a great light!”Child: Why do we gather tonight to sit in silence and light a candle for hope?Adult: This is the season of Advent. It is a time for remembering and waiting with hope. We remember that God created the world in need of a Savior. The prophets long ago told about this Savior who would come to rescue people from their sins. He came and His name is Jesus, the Christ. We wait and prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ coming into the world as a baby. This celebration is called Christmas. We re-member that we are waiting for Christ to come again-this time in glory to set everything right forever.

Sing together:“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

O come O come EmmanuelAnd ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel!

O come Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan’s tyranny.

From depths of hell Thy people save,And give them victory o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheerOur spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel!

O come O come Thou Lord of might,Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,In ancient times did’st give the Law,

In cloud, in majesty and awe.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bindIn one the hearts of all mankindBid Thou our sad divisions cease,And be Thyself our King of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

Then sing while lighting the first purple candle

“Light one Candle for hope, hope that the whole world needs.Light one candle for hope, hope that the Savior will bring.”

Sit together in silence for a minute. Listen for God.

Listen Together:Before each story, show children the ornament with the symbol for that story. After the discussion questions, discuss why that symbol goes with the story. Have one child hang the ornament on the Jesse tree.

Stories - Week OneDay 1) God--Creation Day 2) Adam and Eve Day 3) Noah Day 4) Abraham and Sarah Day 5) Isaac Day 6) Jacob Day 7) Joseph

Before reading each evening, retell the story from the previous evening. On Day 7, retell the stories from the previous week.

Wonder Together:Give each person an opportunity to ask one question about what you have read together. To encourage wondering, you could ask each person, “What is your favorite part of this story? Why?” and “What do you think is the most important part of this story? Why?”

Remember Together:“For unto us a son is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder…” Isaiah 9:6a

Pray together: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.Book of Common Prayer, Collect: First Sunday of Advent

—other prayers may be added—

Say together:“Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

Extinguish the candle, or if it is bedtime, light another candle from the advent candle and lead children to bed by candlelight.

Advent Week 2Say Together;Child: “The people walking in darkness…”Family responds: “…have seen a great light!”Adult: As our nights grow longer and our days shorter, we look on these earthly signs-light and green branches-and we remember God’s promise to our world: Christ our Light, our Hope and our Peace will come.

Sing Together:“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing wordly minded,For with blessing in His hand

Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,As of old on earth He stood,

Lord of lords in human nature, In the body and the blood,

He will give to all the faithfulHis own self for heavenly food.

At His feet the six-winged seraph;Cherubim with watchful eye,

Veil their faces to His Prescence,As with ceaseless voice they cry,

“Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord most high!”

Then sing, as you light the first purple candle for Hope and the second for Peace:

“Light one candle for peace, peace that the whole world needs. Light one candle for peace, peace that the Savior will bring.”



Stories - Week TwoDay 1) Moses Day 2) Joshua and Rahab Day 3) Ruth Day 4) Samuel Day 5) Jesse Day 6) David Day 7) Job



Remember Together:“For unto us a son is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Pray together: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by His truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for His coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.




Advent Week 3Say Together:Child: “The people walking in darkness…”Family responds: “…have seen a great light!”Adult: As our nights grow longer and our days shorter, we look on these earthly signs-light and green branches-and we remember God’s promise to our world: Christ our Light, our Hope and our Peace will come.

Sing Together:“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Then sing while lighting the first two purple candles and the rose candle:

“Light one candle for joy, joy that the whole world needs,Light one candle for joy, joy that the Savior will bring.”



Stories - Week Three15) Elijah 16) Elisha 17) Daniel 18) Esther 19) Isaiah 20) Mary 21) Zecharaiah and Elisabeth



Remember Together:“For unto us a son is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the in-crease of his government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7



Say together:“Come, Lord Jesus, Come!” Extinguish the candle, or if it is bedtime, light another candle from the advent candle and lead children to bed by candlelight.

Advent Week 4Say Together:Child: “The people walking in darkness…”Family responds: “…have seen a great light!”Adult: As our nights grow longer and our days shorter, we look on these earthly signs-light and green branches-and we remember God’s promise to our world: Christ our Light, our Hope and our Peace will come.

Sing Together:“Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming”

Lo, how a rose e’er bloomingFrom tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage comingAs men of old have sung.It came, a flower bright,Amid the cold of winter,

When half-gone was the night.

Isaiah ‘twas fortold it, The rose I have in mind;With Mary we behold it,The virgin mother kind.

To show God’s love a-rightShe bore to men a Savior,

When half-gone was the night.

This flower, whose fragrance tenderWith sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendorThe darkness everywhere.True man, yet very God,

From sin and death He saves usAnd lightens every load.

Then sing while lighting three purple candles and the rose candle:

“Light one candle for love, love that the whole world needs.Light one cancle for love, love that the Savior will bring.”



Stories - Week Four22) John the Baptist 23) The Magi 24) Jesus 25) Christ



Remember Together:“For unto us a son is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the in-crease of his government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7





Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Say Together:Child: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light!”Adult: On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoul-ders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. Isaiah 9:2-5

Together: (with great joy!)“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on Da-vid’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Lighting of the Candles

First Candle:Candle Lighter: What the prophet foretold has come to pass. Christ

has brought us hope.Family: The Light of Christ has come into the world.

Second Candle:Candle lighter: Christ has brought us peace.

Family: The Light of Christ has come into the world.

Third Candle:Candle Lighter: Christ has brought us joy.

Family: The Light of Christ has come inot the world.

Fourth CandleCandle Lighter: Christ has brought us love.

Family: The Light of Christ has come into the world.

The Christ CandleCandle Lighter: Christ our Light, our Hope, our Peace and our Joy,

has come!Together: Thanks be to God!

Listen Together:Have a child hang the last ornament, the symbol of Christ, on the Jesse

Tree.

The Light of the Whole World, JSB pp.John 1:1-14 (if reading from scripture)

Sing Together:“Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,Over the hills and everywhere;Go, Tell It On The Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watchingOver silent flocks by night,

Behold throughout the heavens,There shone a holy light:

Go, Tell It On The Mountain,Over the hills and everywhere;Go, Tell It On The Mountain


The shepherds feared and trembledWhen lo! above the earthRang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Saviour’s birth:Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;Go, Tell It On The Mountain


Down in a lowly mangerOur humble Christ was bornAnd God send us salvation,

That blessed Christmas morn:Go, Tell It On The Mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;Go, Tell It On The Mountain


Pray Together:~remembering those who are dear to Christ’s heart and in need of the hope he brings—the poor and the needy, the widow and the orphan, those who are in need of his healing.

A Christmas Collect:“O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.”

CHURCH OF THE

REDEEMER

advent devotions for families · 25 stories from scripture leading to jesus’ birth. each week of...

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