I know many of you have already started advent devotions or activities. I posted a picture yesterday of our Advent Tree on Facebook and got so many requests for more details. So I decided to post more about it here…
I made the advent tree last year.
And in full disclosure , this is NOT my original idea.
My Friend Katie Page, actually blogged last year about doing a Jesus Tree (an idea from Noel Piper’s book Treasuring God in our Traditions ) The original idea is to get an ornament to represent each name of God...but finding an ornament for Prince of Peace can be challenging. Other people I know do a Jesse Tree--- and that goes through different people and events in the Bible all leading up to the Birth of Christ.
Katie landed on creating cards that she would stick on the wall in the shape of a tree and VOILA…. a new advent tree was created.
I headed to Michael’s Craft Store stocked up on materials and got to “crafting”. So here are Instructions to Make your own---
Names Of Jesus Advent Tree
Materials--
Bible
24 Green Cards
1 Yellow Cardstock
Decorative stickers or markers
Laminating machine (or kinkos, or contact paper)
Instructions--
-Cut out 24 green cards from cardstock
(I used scrapbook cardstock)
-I then decorated with ornament stickers I found in the scrapbook section
-Write a name of Jesus and the scripture reference on the card.
If you are really on top of it, type the names in a cool font and print on the cardstock… Don’t know why I didn’t do this, as I hate my handwriting.
-Tape them up on the wall each day, discussing the name of Jesus.
-Pray thanking Jesus for being the “Prince of Peace”, or “our comfort”
-Eventually, as the day month goes on, arrange the cards to form a tree
-The last name – JESUS -- is on a yellow star to be put on Christmas Morning!
-This is also easily packed up to take with you for Christmas Traveling and can easily be put up on another wall so you can complete the tree on Christmas Morning!
Here are the names/verses I used
There are so many options that could be used but I tried to choose ones that would be easily understood by small children.
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
I Am (John 8:58)
Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Master (Lk. 5:5; 8:24; 9:33)
Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6-7)
JESUS
--I also laminated them at Kinkos so they would be usable for years to come. That way too the tape stick easily, and pulls right off at the end of the season.
--And you aren’t too late to start!! I didn't start until Dec 6th last year, and we'll skip days and need to catch up. SO jump in and make one with or for your kiddos!
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The kids love taking turns putting the cards up, and will remind me every day to do it. I hope to get years out of this advent “tree” and pray it helps us (and your family too!) to remember
The Greatest Gift of all --- JESUS!
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Lest you think we are only Spiritual---
My kids also love doing their chocolate a day candy… which I have slacked off and haven’t gotten yet. They are going to have a lot of catching up to do! (I don’t think they’ll mind)
Happy Advent!
And in other news…
I am wrapping up my
Stocking Stuffer Giveaway
tomorrow, so check out all the
great giveaways by scrolling down my blog.
