A Christ-Centered Advent Tree

Day 21-24
Day 18-20
Day 14-17
Day 9-13
Day 5-8

Day 1-4

By Jen's request, here is the advent tree ornament set that I am using for Christmas this year. This project started last year, but thanks to my pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel problem, I didn't get to and Mom brought the ornaments home with her to the Bahamas and finished them for me early this year. Thank you!!! Just a little bit of background on the advent tree (typically called a Jesse Tree by many Christians):

There was an old custom in Europe and early America of hanging symbolic ornaments on a Christmas tree during Advent - ornaments which represented the Messianic prophecies - often with the prophecies included within the ornaments. This tree was gradually assembled during the days of Advent. It was called the Jesse Tree (Isaiah 11:1), named after the father of King David. The Savior was prophesied to be a descendant of David, which is the Tribe of Judah - the royal line of Israel.

Introduce the tree you will be hanging your ornaments before December 1. Each of the ornaments on the tree stand for prophets and people and events in the scriptures that prophesy about the coming of the Savior. Every day of December until Christmas Eve, read the scripture reference that goes along with the symbol, and share with your family in your own words.

On Christmas Day, you will have gone thru the Biblical stories of the prophets, lineage, and other events that prepared the way for the Savior's birth. I also included two stories from the Book of Mormon (Samuel the Lamanite, and the Account of Christ’s Birth in the Americas). I compiled these from many sources on the Internet including the Book called “Let’s Make a Jesse Tree” by Darcy James, then made my own modifications to fit our family’s needs. Enjoy!

Day 1 – Symbol: Earth; Story of Creation. Genesis 1:1 - 2:3.

Day 2 – Symbol: Apple Tree; Story of the Fall (Adam and Eve). Genesis 2:4 - 3:13

Day 3 – Symbol: Rainbow; Story of Noah and the Ark. Genesis 6: 11-14; 7: 17-8: 3; 9: 8-17

Day 4 – Symbol: Night Sky with Stars. THE CALL and PROMISE to Abraham. Genesis 12:1-7; 15:1- 6; Abr. 2:10–11.

Day 5 – Symbol: Sheep/Ram. Story of Isaac’s sacrifice. Genesis 22: 1-14.

Day 6 – Symbol: Ladder. Story of Jacob (House of Israel). Genesis 28: 10-22.

Day 7 – Symbol: Sack of Grain (or Coat of Many Colors). Story of Joseph and His Brothers. Genesis 37: 1-36; 50: 15-21.

Day 8 – Symbol: Burning Bush. Story of the Call of Moses. Exodus 1:1-14; 3:1-12.

Day 9 – Symbol: Kneading Bowl (stands for the unleavened bread Israelites were commanded to eat). The Passover and Escape from Egypt. Exodus 12

Day 10 – Symbol: Tablets of Stone. -THE GIVING of the LAW - Story of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:16 - 20:20.

Day 11 – Stalks of Corn/Wheat. Story of Ruth. Ruth 1: 15-2: 3 How was Ruth related to Jesse and David?

Day 12- Symbol: Horn of Oil. Story of Samuel and David’s anointing. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Day 13 – Symbol: Crown. Story of David. 1 Samuel 16:1-23, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 7:1-17.

Day 14 – Symbol: Altar. Story of Elijah. 1 Kings 18: 17-24, 36-39

Day 15 – Symbol: Tongs with Live Coal. Story of Isaiah’s call. Isaiah 6:1-13.

Day 16 – Symbol: Scroll. Isaiah prophesies about Christ. Isaiah 8:14-15; 9:2-7;

Day 17 - Symbol: Whale. Story of Jonah. Jonah 1:1-4:11.

Day 18 – Symbol: Dove. Story of John the Baptist, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Luke 1: 5-25, Matthew 3:1-6

Day 19 – Symbol: Lily (for purity). Story of the Call of Mary. Luke 1: 26-38

Day 20- Symbol: Carpenter’s Square. Story of Joseph. Matthew 1: 18-25

Day 21 – Symbol: Brick/Stone Wall. Story of Samuel the Lamanite. Helaman 13:1—16:8.

Day 22 – Symbol: Manger. Story of the Journey to Bethlehem. Luke 2: 1-7

Day 23 – Symbol: Sword. Account of the Savior’s Birth in the Americas. 3 Nephi 1: 1-21.

Day 24 – Symbol: Star. Story of Christ’s Birth. Luke 2: 6-21 (Read before going to bed).

If you want the extended version with my notes on it, email me (it is 5 pages long!).