Advent & the Advent Jesse Tree

      The Advent season is a sacred time of preparation and anticipation as we near the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Each year, we celebrate through the telling of the Advent story, the lighting of Advent candles, and the retelling of traditional Christmas stories. This year, we will be adding a new tradition. Devotions connected with the tradition of the Advent Jesse Tree will be guiding us through various symbols that will encourage discussion and creativity in the telling of an old story. As described by Dean Meador Lambert, this tradition “seeks to tell the story of God’s redemptive plan for the world through 25 symbols from the Old and New Testament. The symbols trace the heritage of Jesus Christ from the beginning of creation. Each symbol [can be] explained with scriptures, devotions, questions, prayers, a memory verse, and songs.” We will be using Lambert’s book of devotionals to explore the Season of Advent through these symbols and the stories that they tell. In order to help your family prepare for the first six symbols (aligned with the first six days of Advent), they are: 
Day 1: The Light of Creation (represented by a picture of the Earth); Genesis 1:1
Day 2: The First Sin (represented by an apple and a snake); Isaiah 53:6
Day 3: Inside the Ark (represented by an ark with a rainbow); Romans 6:23                                               
Day 4: The Call to Abram (represented by a camel and a tent); Genesis 12:3b
Day 5: Isaac and the Lamb (represented by a lamb); John 1:29b
Day 6: Jacob's Ladder (represented by a ladder); Genesis 28:15a
      I will continue to write reflections and provide more information on the trinitykids blog throughout the Advent season, along with questions and reflections to complement each symbol so that you can continue to the conversation with your child at home.