Christmas Traditions - (Part 2)

Several years ago Julie began looking for some creative ways to add some family traditions to our celebration of Christmas.  Neither of us really came from families that did much more than the usual...tree, gifts, church, etc., and we wanted something more meaningful for our children.  As Julie researched, she found something called  "The Jesse Tree".  What is the Jesse Tree you may ask?  Well there are many different styles and versions, but, in general, it is a daily journey through the Old Testament-- from Genesis to the birth of Jesus Christ, beginning on December 1st and ending on Christmas day.  (It is often in line with the Advent season which celebrates the four Sundays prior to Christmas through the lighting of candles and remembering the Christmas story.)  For the Zilkies there are three main parts which we do every day (if at all possible) for all 25 days.

Part One is the reading of a passage of Scripture to the family.  The passage is predetermined by our version of the Jesse Tree and has a corresponding picture which we have had laminated and made into Christmas ornaments.  Sitting down as a family and reading the Bible together is so important, the most important thing we do.  In doing so, we as a family stop and recognize the sovereignty of God and rule of Jesus Christ and His word in our family.  One can never underestimate the power of God's word, and you never know what kind of impact the Holy Spirit can have on your children when they hear God's word.  This can be especially powerful when read by mom or dad and in a family setting.

Part Two is the discussion that takes place after reading.  A great practice for reading to children is to have them repeat back to you the details of the passage or story you just read to them.  This is a great developmental tool for children and it also reinforces the passage and its details in the mind and heart of the children.  We are thus able to see if the child or children correctly understands what was just read.  If not, it allows us the opportunity to clarify and reexplain the passage or story in terms they can understand. 

After the passage is read and understood, the next question is "How does this passage or story point to Jesus Christ?"  This is the fun part because the Old Testament has hundreds of references, inferences, and prophecies about Jesus Christ throughout the 39 books.  For example, when we read in the book of Joshua about the story of Rahab and the fall of Jericho, is there any correlation to the "scarlet cord" hanging out her window which will save all persons inside and the (scarlet) blood of Jesus flowing from His body which has the power to save us from our sins?  Or in Genesis 12, when God makes His unconditional convenant with Abraham and states therein that "all the families of the world will be blessed through you", who or what is He talking about?  How could the whole world be blessed through Abraham and his descendants???  ***The children are fascinated to learn that biblical events from long before Jesus was born point in many different ways to the coming of Jesus and His ministry purpose here on earth...they LOVE learning about it!!!

Part Three involves taking the ornament/picture of the day which has been hidden in Papa's Bible up to this point and hanging it on the tree.  I like to ask the children if they remember what picture is on the ornament for that day from doing it the previous year.  We play this game where they usually guess the right picture, such as a scarlet cord on the day we read about Rahab, and I will say after we are done reading "Alright, who gets to come hang the picture of the crumbling walls of Jericho?"  They roll their eyes and scream out "Nooooo, its a picture of the scarlet cord!!!"  It sounds cheesy but they fall for it every time and I laugh every time.  They get so excited to hang the picture on the tree and take turns doing so each day.

Sitting down as a family and reading God's word together is a practice that seems to be lost or crowded out in our families today.  This is sad and really is a loss in our efforts to raise up spiritual young men and women with strong Christian character.  Julie and I have been doing this over Christmas for several years now and the family loves it.  By the time Christmas comes, we wonder why we don't do this in some capacity all year round?  We enjoy it, the children enjoy it as long as I put some energy and passion into the reading and discussion, and God is honored by it for sure.  So at the conclusion of Advent this year, we are going to seek to continue the daily reading of the Word in our family, as a family.



You can find a FREE download of the Jesse Tree by Ann Voskamp at her blog www.aholyexperience.com.    It is located in the November 28th 2010 entry, as well as other places at her blog.  It is wonderful, and so is Ann!!