The Second Post of Christmas: The Journey Begins

Last year we started a tradition that I hope is here to stay--the Jesse Tree. The concept of the Jesse tree is based on the scripture in Isaiah 11, "Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot--yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root." Beginning the first Sunday of Advent, we read one scripture passage a day and hang a corresponding ornament on our tree. The scriptures trace the story of redemption from Creation to Incarnation with every story foreshadowing Christ's coming and God's glorious rescue plan for you and for me.

This year as I prepared for Advent with Nathanael and the kids, I was thrilled to find that one of my favorite bloggers, Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience, was offering a free, downloadable book of Jesse Tree readings, devotions, and ornaments. All the more special because I had used my birthday money earlier this year to purchase an Advent-to-Lent-to-Ascension Wreath handmade by her son Caleb.

I've been waiting months to place this beautiful creation on my table and begin the journey. . . a journey that spirals out beyond the Incarnation to the Cross. Bethlehem is but one incredible stop along the way as we follow the Light. It is at the Cross that God "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13).

And so we begin, with lighting and listening and looking for Him.

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus!

For more information and directions for obtaining A Jesus Advent Celebration by Ann Voskamp and Nancy Rodden, click here.

The Second Post of Christmas: Counters Counting

Nothing helps eager children (and adults) make it through the long wait until December 25th like an Advent calendar. Since Ethan was three years old, we've created our own homemade calendar every year with an activity or special surprise for each day. Past calendars have included little envelopes glued to poster board in the shape of a Christmas tree, plastic ornament balls with slips of paper and candy in them, or decorative gift tags hanging on a miniature tree.

This year, I decided to attempt to make an advent calendar in the style I remember from childhood--a cardboard calendar with a little window or door to open each day until Christmas. A friend had sent me the November 2009 issue of Family Fun magazine where I found instructions for making an Advent calendar using windows and doors cut out from old magazines and a few pieces of colored card stock. Here's the result:






Surprises, activities, and events include:

• going to a performance of The Nutcracker Ballet



• reading a new Christmas book



• making Christmas crafts



• Christmas baking



• celebrating St. Nicholas Day (6th) and St. Lucia's Day (13th)



• making hot cocoa



• extra half hour of Christmas bedtime reading



• family movie night



• family game night



• going to special programs or concerts



• making gifts for Sunday School teachers



• making Christmas cards



• wrapping gifts



• dancing to Christmas music (we've been known to do our own Nutcracker performance)



• shopping together for gifts and stocking stuffers



• decorating for Christmas (if we haven't done it already)



• baking a cake for Jesus' birthday



• having a Christmas sing-a-long after dinner



• inviting a friend over



• acting out The Nativity and . . .



• cleaning the house in preparation of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

I got started a little late on our countdown to Christmas this year. There are only 21 doors, but we are enjoying these special times together. I've found that having an Advent calendar like this one helps me to plan ahead and be intentional about the things I want to do with my children at Christmas--even if we have to adjust things from time to time as Christmas approaches. In the end, it's not really about the crafts, treats, or events but about celebrating--celebrating every day in some simple way the incarnation of Christ and the anticipation of His glorious Second Coming. We're counting down . . . come, Thou long-expected Jesus, come!