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Advent Resources for Your Home
TREES, CANDLES, AND WORDS TO CONTEMPLATE
JESSE TREE AND ORNAMENT SET
A branch is a sign of new life and new beginnings. Jesus was a descendent of King David and Christians believe that Jesus is this new branch. The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of the great Jewish King David. One prophecy in the Bible, in the book of Isaiah, says:
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. — Isaiah 11:1-4 (NIV)
The first Jesse trees were large carvings, tapestries or even stained glass windows put in churches that helped illiterate people (people who can't read or write) to learn about the Bible, from creation to the Christmas story. Now Jesse Trees are used as a kind of Advent Calendar. You can use a normal Christmas tree or a banner in the shape of a tree. Each day through Advent (or sometimes just on the four Sundays of Advent) a special decoration or ornament (similar to a Chrismon), that tells a story from the Bible, is hung on the tree. Consider making this an intergenerational activity and prayer practice with a family member near or far. You can read about one family’s experience, and see photos, below!
Sign up for a kit by November 14 at www.stdavidschurch.org/ advent/.
For additional information about the Jesse Tree, visit The Gift Shop for a copy of: The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Bee Willey.
ADVENT MASON JARS
A new twist on the traditional wreath, this set of Advent Mason Jars (pictured at right) contains everything you need to focus yourself in daily prayer around the practice of lighting candles in anticipation of the coming of the Christmas.
Four small mason jars contain blue and pink candles with white sand. The lids have single words on the top and prayers on the underside.
Included with the jars is a devotional booklet, Close to Home by A Sanctified Art. It contains daily reflections to guide your prayer, study, and conversation. Also available in large print. The devotional booklet inspired our third offering, the Advent Close to Home Daily Words, which you can learn more about at right.
Sign up for a Jesse Tree or Advent Masson Jar kit by Sunday, November 14 at www.stdavidschurch.org/advent/.
ADVENT CLOSE TO HOME DAILY WORDS
Use one word each day (listed below) to open your eyes to the world around you. Where are you seeing glimpses of holiness in your everyday life? You can use the words in two ways:
First, use the word as a prompt to populate your social media with images that remind you of the word in your daily life. Simply tag St. David’s social media in your posts, and use the hashtag #closetohome, so we can see and share them. Encourage your friends and family to participate!
Second, you may choose to repeat the word over and over as a form of centering prayer.
Sign up for the email with daily prompts and devotions at www.stdavidschurch.org/advent/ or use the bookmark found in your Advent Mason Jar kit. Word prompts will also be shared on our social media each day.
Close to Home Daily Words
Begin the practice on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, and continue through Christmas Day.
28 Hope
29 Home
30 Encounter
1 Build
2 Faith
3 Chosen
4 Create
5 Peace
6 Foundation
7 Speak
8 Center
9 Move
10 Dream
11 Watch
12 Joy
13 Proclaim
14 Explore
15 Reach
16 Welcome
17 Abundant
18 New
19 Love
20 Carry
21 Flow
22 Listen
23 Open
24 Visit
25 Birth
www.stdavidschurch.org/advent/
