Works For Me: Jesse Tree

Yes, it's true--I'm one of those annoying people that starts thinking about and planning for Christmas in August.  And I shall now subject you to my madness.  (With good reason, though, because this little idea will actually take quite a while to pull together, if you're so inclined).

Last year I put together a Jesse Tree for our families.  If you aren't familiar with this well-loved holiday tradition, you can read more about it here.  To summarize, we put a two-foot tree on a table in our living room, and beginning on December 1, we get out an ornament each day.  The first ornament represents creation, and we read a little devotional on creation.  Then each devotional takes us through the Old Testament, showing how it all pointed to Christ, until Christmas Eve, when we finish by placing the star on the top of the tree.  Really, it's a lovely tradition that has taught us all a great deal.

If you'd like to share your clever ideas with all of Bloggityville, leave your link below.  Guidelines for WFMW can be found here--please read through them if you're a first-time participant or you have any questions. 

Comments

[Shannon in Arizona]

I actually heard of this yesterday from my Aunt. She homeschools and wanted to try this to put the focus back on Christ for Christmas. I am going to talk to my husband about this cuz I think it is a neat idea. Thanks for the link. I think about Christmas too, but not till September....it is my favorite time of the year :)

[Laura]

Wow this idea is fantastic! I just can't say enough how much I love it especially with the devotionals already written up for us like that. My kids will really enjoy this...THANK YOU! Laura

[Larae]

That's a VERY cute idea!

[Barbara H.]

I have heard of these before, but we have never tried to do one. It sounds neat!

[The Wooden Porch]

COOL! I had some friends I nannied for that did something like that for Xmas and Easter.

Have you got much shopping done yet? ;-)

[Michelle]

Thanks once again for a great post, my sister is the kind who thinks Labor Day means get out the Christmas decorations, I'll pass this on to her.

[Lindsey]

Awww, this sounds so lovely! Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I love hearing how different people celebrate! Thanks for sharing your tradition!

[momrn2]

Oh my gooness I absolutely love the idea of this!! Definately going to check it out!! Thanks for the idea and the link.

By the way, thought of you throughout my day today as I found a total of 8 rocks in my son's pants pockets heading into the washer, 2 rocks in my washer, 3 rocks in my dryer, and 1 large one in my car. :-)

[PastorMac's Ann]

This looks really cool. May have to try this this year.

We've done "Adornaments" for many years. Similar premise.

[Overwhelmed!]

What a great tradition. Alas, I have yet to even begin to start thinking about Christmas. I'm such a procrastinator!

[meredith]

I tried to add a post, but I guess I messed up, sorry.

[Maine Mom]

I think about Christmas early, too. What a great way to count down to Christmas and to bring the true meaning of Christmas into the home :-)

[Valerie]

Great tip! I'll have to check out the website today.
:)

[Kim]

Hey, I just posted my first WFMW! I sure enjoy this meme, So helpful. Blessings!

[Melanie]

Hi!

I posted another WFMW, it's at:

http://www.homeschoolhelpweb.com/blog/2006/10/works-for-me-wednesday_11.html

Thanks for doing this, I love all the tips!

[aggiejenn]

Mine's up--Organizing Digital Pics

click on my name for the link to the specific WFMW page

[Robin]

A) I LOVE this idea.
B) I'm glad I'm not the only mad woman who starts early. I have my excel spreadsheet started in July with all that has to be done. But I enjoy it!

[Barbara H.]

Uh oh! The links were there late last night...wonder what's wrong with Mr. Linky. My specific WFMW post for this week is here, with a funny anecdote about clutter and a few tips for keeping it at bay.

[gwen]

Thanks for the great idea about Christmas, I just got a 12 week planning calendar for our first christmas at home and am feeling a little overwhelmed!

My WFMW link is here with some tips for kitchen helps.

http://gwibbles.shaneck.com/2006/10/11/kitchen-helpers/

[Pass the Torch]

Uh oh!! Here's mine - the joys of the "whiteboard" -- http://2passthetorch.com/2006/10/11/works-for-me-whiteboard/

We haven't done a Jesse tree before. That sounds nice. Maybe this year. I'm sure I'd learn a lot doing it too!

[amelia]

Mine's up too - remembering birthdays!!!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who starts thinking about Christmas early!!

[Sherry Early]

I posted a bit about how I try to remember th books I read even though I'm losing my mind to old age and menopause. The funny thing is that I thought I dated it to post on Wednesday (today), but when I looked at my blog this morning I couldn't find the post anywhere.

I finally found it--backdated to May 24, 2005! Another piece of my mind --lost.

[Addie]

I absolutely LOVE this idea! I'm scouring the web now for lots of ideas on how I want to do this!

[GiBee]

This sounds like an awesome idea ... one that I've been searching for on how to bring CHRIST back into Christmas instead of Santa...

Do you have any tips on how to successfully implement this with a 14 month old???

[GiBee]

Okay ... I just have to comment one more time ... you are such a wealth of information. I love coming to your blog, and appreciate all that you post on, because it's all relevant in my life right now.

Thanks, Shannon, for caring so much about your readers and for publishing information that is simply awesome. Always.

[Stacey]

This is a great one! Thank you! I have been looking forward to starting this tradition with our family as soon as the kids were old enough.

By the way - can I get the code for a button for WFMW for my site? I would love to put this on my webpage permanently.
Thanks!

[Shereen]

Thanks for sharing. I've always wanted to try this, but never got going on it. I'm going to try again this year. Thanks for the reminder.

[Melanie]

My famous salsa recipe-
http://this-aint-new-york.blogspot.com/2006/10/salsa.html
BTW- GREAT IDEA helping our kids connect the Old Testament with the arrival of Christ. Thanks!

[Catherine]

We always had a Jesse tree when I was growing up, and this year we plan to do it with our daughter (9months). Funny, I had just been thinking that the Jesse Tree would be a good WFMW tip! You beat me to it! :)

[Cmommy]

Great idea--I want Christmas to be more scriptural this year for my children.

ps: I'm going to Texas!!!!!!!!!!

[HolyMama!]

do you hang out at organizedchristmas.com?

[Nancy]

I have been a buy bee today and almost forgot it was Wednesday.....sorry about the late post!

[on the Rock]

Oh come on! How come it's Tuesday and I'm #104! Ha, ha...

The Jesse Tree sounds great! It's an amazing tradition to decorate the tree a day at a time a little at a time! I love it the idea! I gotta try this.