ADVENT DEVOTIONS

The season of Advent is our opportunity to prepare for the celebration of God's greatest gift, His son. Yes, there are limitations to what we can do during Advent this year. But, this also gives us the opportunity to try some new things as well. Pray for the blessing of the Holy Spirit that new hearts will be open to hearing the Good News about Jesus in new ways that we can barely imagine. This year at Cross and Crown, we will:

  • Use the Jesse Tree devotions kit to get ready for the Feast of the Nativity
  • Read the Bible stories that helped prepare the way for the Messiah
  • Watch storytellers from across the Indiana-Kentucky Synod in online videos
  • Think about or discuss the questions in the Advent devotions guide
  • Pray the daily Advent prayer

THE JESSE TREE TRADITION

The Jesse Tree Advent tradition marks each day from the first Sunday in Advent to Christmas. But instead of a traditional Advent calendar, the Jesse Tree uses ornaments to highlight moments in the Biblical storyline from Creation to the Cross. The tradition of the Jesse Tree dates back to the Middle Ages, with the name "Jesse Tree" coming from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit." Jesse is the father of King David. The savior was to come from David’s family line.


GETTING STARTED


Novermber 29

On the first day of Advent, take some time to look at, talk about, or create a simple version of your own family tree. You may have one in an old family Bible, or a digital version online. For simple templates, take a look at the Internet and choose one that fits the needs and interests of your family. If your family has an Advent wreath, it may be fun to light the candle(s) during this devotion time each day.


November 30

On the second day of Advent, introduce the Jesse Tree activity and how it will be a daily activity until Christmas. Now is the time to select the tree you will use and get the area and supplies gathered. Cross & Crown has Jesse Tree ornament magnet kits available for any family that would like one (email Lisa Stocks). You can also make your own ornaments and hang them on any tree you'd like.


December 1 through December 25


(1) Read or Watch a Daily Bible Story Video

During the Advent season, a Bible Story which relates to Jesus’ family or God’s people is read each day. Daily Bible passages for each day can be found in this downloadable Jesse Tree guide. To listen to daily Bible story videos shared by a storyteller from the IN-KY Synod, click here. The videos start on Tuesday, December 1 and continue until Friday, December 25. Watch a Daily Bible Story Videorightarrow


(2) Engage in Family Discussion about the Bible Story

After watching the daily Bible story video or reading the story in your own Bible, you may wish to engage in discussion about the story you heard. Discussion prompts for each day can be found in this downloadable Jesse Tree guide. 


(3) Hang an Ornament on Your Jesse Tree

After the daily Bible story is read and discussed, place an ornament on your “tree.” 


(4) Say a Daily Advent Prayer

A short prayer for every day in Advent can be found in this downloadable Jesse Tree guide. 

ADVENT DEVOTIONS DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE

Our Jesse Tree Advent Devotions guide helps you prepare for Advent by journeying through the stories on Jesus’s family tree. Each day of Advent, read a Bible story about someone on Jesus’s family tree and hang an ornament symbolizing the story on your Jesse Tree. As you decorate your tree, you’ll see how God prepared for Jesus to be born through many generations.


DOWNLOAD THE JESSE TREE ADVENT DEVOTIONS GUIDE (.docx)rightarrow

GET YOUR JESSE TREE KIT

Jesse Tree kits are for everyone to use every day during Advent. The kit includes ornament magnets, video links to story tellers from all over the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, and prayers to help us prepare for the Nativity.


If you would like to receive a Jesse Tree kit, Advent devotions and other materials, please email Lisa Stocks.

SPOTIFY ADVENT PLAYLIST

Keep the Advent season festive and simple with thoughtful music throughout your house. Matthew Rhea has curated a playlist of carols, hymns, and songs for Advent, including both centuries-old classics and recent originals.


LISTEN ON SPOTIFYyoutube