Long time readers: I write a similar post every year. Lo siento.
I know. I know.
I’m one of those people right now.
It’s only the third day of October and I’m talking about Christmas.
It drives me batty when people leap frog right over holidays, but in this case, I’m trying to be helpful.
For the last several years, my family has done a Jesse Advent tradition. Every year, for the last several years, I get people commenting “I need to do one of these!” “Dang, I’m too late!” “Next year!” “I need to remember to do this!”
So. Here’s your reminder. If you’ve been wanting to put together an Advent tradition, it’s time to start thinking about it now. Not December 1st. When everyone is instagramming their days and you feel left out.
See? Helpful.
Generally speaking, advent calendars are basically just a fun way to countdown to Christmas. It can be a super simple paper chain …one of those boxes you buy at the store with a tiny chocolate inside each day…or an incredibly elaborate, handmade display for containing small gifts throughout the month of December.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these. In fact, I scored a LEGO advent kit
When I first learned about the tradition of a Jesse Advent calendar a few years ago, I knew that was EXACTLY what I wanted to do with my family.
What is a Jesse Advent?
A Jesse Advent Calendar/tree is a daily ornament that you open with a devotional/bible story…that begins with Creation…and ends with Jesus’ birth. In between is kind of the Cliffs’ Notes version of the Bible. I love this because it helps align MY heart with the true meaning of the Christmas season, and gives me a detailed and intentional way to talk to my kids about what Christmas is about…beyond pretty paper and twinkling lights. Because let’s face it: I get way too wrapped up in the shopping and glitter and ribbon and bows just like everyone else, and then I’m frantically trying to sneak in bible stories and Luke Chapter 2 on December 22nd.
A Jesse Advent Calendar can be super simple…or as elaborate as you want.
First, you’ll need a book/devotional to work off of.
We use this book.
Ann Voskamp has written an adult version of a Jesse Advent, and now also a Family Friendly Jesse Advent, and while I’m totally coveting it and wishing I had started with that one (because, Ann.), but we started our tradition before she published these.
And, as with anything else, I would imagine you can google for a free version online somewhere.
HELPFUL/FORCEFUL TIP: Pick a devotional and stick with it. While they all start with Genesis 1:1 and end at the manger, the middles can be a little different. Some will use the story of Jonah and ask for a whale ornament…and others won’t include Jonah’s story at all. If you change books mid-ornament acquisition, you might end up with a hodge podge of stuff and a random whale hanging on your Christmas tree. Not that I know this from experience or anything. Ahem.
Most people display their ornaments on a small tabletop tree, but I prefer a clothesline type display. It keeps the ornaments chronological, visually telling the Bible Story.
Now onto the ornaments.
- Some devotionals come with printable coloring pages. Your kids color the pictures, punch a hole in the top, string a ribbon through, and voila. Ornament.
- Get together a group of 25 women and do an ornament swap. Assign each person a day/ornament…they make 25 of them, and then you do a big exchange. This is kinda fun because if each day comes pre-wrapped/sealed in some way, it’s a surprise to see how each person interpreted the assignment.
- Make all 25 ornaments yourself.
- Buy real ornaments.
Personally, I chose the scavenger hunt turned wild goose chase option of #4. I wanted something durable that would stand the test of time, that didn’t leave me hand making a bajillion ornaments, or stuck with janky looking cotton balls hot glued together with googly eyes turned lambs from sweet 87 year old Maude.
Plus, I like the idea that (assuming they survive 18+ years of annual use), I can divide up the ornaments and hand them down to my grown children to build their own calendars around someday. Assuming.
Keep in mind that Option 4 is most expensive, and can be time consuming to hunt down 25 specific ornaments. But if you start buying now, you’ll have ample time and while it won’t actually make it cheaper, it’ll feel that way by spreading out your purchases over the next two months.
Plus, it’s a one time expense. In theory.
MORE HELPFUL TIPS:
- Carry around a list of the ornaments you need at all times. Even a simple photo on your phone of the table of contents from your devotional book. You never know when you’ll find yourself in a Christmas aisle!
- Check your regular ornament collection. You might have a handful already!
- Start at Macy’s. They have a “religious” tree display every year. Lots of Mary’s and Wise Men and Camels and such. (not sponsored)
- I had good luck at Kohl’s, Target, World Market, and Pier 1 for the remaining ornaments.
- Black Friday sales usually include Christmas ornaments. FYI.
Have you been wanting to start an advent tradition? Do you already have one?
That is all. Carry on with pumpkins, boots, scarves, and creations of nutmeg and cinnamon.
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I’ve been wanting to do this for years after seeing the most adorable and expensive ornament set. I still haven’t gotten it going. Two years ago I started hand making ornaments but I’m not even halfway through. Last year I tried to do the coloring pages but a few days in and my kids lost all interest. Maybe we’ll try a different version this year and actually make it through the season.
Thank you for the reminder! Now that we have a little girl I am wanting to add in an advent tradition and a Jesse Tree will be perfect! I too think I will opt for #4 so I will now start the scavenger hunt – I love that the ornaments can become family heirlooms. Better buy myself a book first though!
Jessica´s last blog post ..The Art of the Staycation
We did a Jesse Tree for the first time last year. I did option #4. I shopped Hobby Lobby’s half off sales, and got creative with items from the miniature department, etc. I was at a loss for a few of the ornaments, but ran out of time to make them, so I’m doing that this year. It’s one hodge podge of a tree! :)
I’ve done this a myriad of ways over the years. We always use our jesse tree book to do advent devotions but I’ve only done a tree once. When they were much younger. Maybe I will start looking for the ornaments to do a real tree. That would be fun!
Mindy´s last blog post ..Weekend Wrap-Up
I make Jesse Tree Ornaments for families to celebrate a Christ centered Christmas. This year, it has been very exciting to be sending out ornaments all over the world – Norway, Turkey, Canada, the USA. I’m in Brisbane, Australia. So, you can see how this is exciting for me.
Deborah
pinkscissorsdesign @gmail .com
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