Christmas Day is Getting Close

It's so much fun celebrating Christmas with three young children. (See them proudly displaying their Christmas tree decorating ability) They get very excited about the family gatherings (they have nine cousins all around the same age), presents, and holidays. We try to keep the focus on the birth of Christ which is often difficult when they are bombarded with all the other aspects of Christmas from School and TV.
Each evening we go through an advent devotion called the Jesse Tree (from the root of Jesse will come...). We have readings from Creation (Genesis 1) through to the account of the birth of Jesus. Each reading, discussion and prayer identifies a key aspects of God's interaction with his creations and preparation for the coming of his Son. Annette made felt decorations (see left) with a symbol for each reading and each evening after our reading and prayer the children take turns to put the decoration on the tree. For those interested the 25 readings are:
1. Isaiah 11:1-2 Stump with branch
2. Genesis 1:26-32 The Earth
3. Genesis 3:1-19 Apple and Snake
4. Genesis 6:11-14; 7:17-18; 8:3; 9:8-13 Ark and Rainbow
5. Genesis 12:1-7 Camel and Tent
6. Genesis 21:1-7 Baby's Cradle
7. Genesis 22:1-14 Ram
8. Genesis 28:10-22 Ladder
9. Genesis 37:1-36; 50:12-21 Multi-coloured Coat
10. Deuteronomy 5:1-22 Tablets of Stone
11. Joshua 2:1-21 Rope
12. Ruth 1:15-2:3 Wheat
13. 1 Samuel 16:4-13 Horn with oil
14. 2 Samuel 5:1-5 Crown
15. Isaiah 9:2-7 Rose
16. 1 Kings 18:17-24, 36-39 Stones and Fire
17. Isaiah 11:6-9 Wolf and Lamb
18. Esther 4 Sceptre
19. Habbakuk 2:1-14 Watch Tower
20. Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah and Elizabeth
21. Matthew 3:1-6 Water
22. Luke 1:26-38 Love Heart
23. Matthew 1:18-25 Woodworking Tools
24. Luke 2:1-5 Sandals
25. Luke 2:6-21 Star