Family of 4

Family of 4

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Jesse Tree

James and I were talking around the start of this holiday season, back around Thanksgiving, and he mentioned wanting to maybe do advent through Christmas.  Well, I was okay with that, but I didn't really know what advent was... Thankfully, I came across a study on the Bible app on my ipad titled: Advent-Emmanuel, God with us. It started out kind of defining advent for me and that really helped.  Here is what it said:

"Arrival.  That is what the word "advent" means.  Only the Advent we are celebrating here is not just any arrival.  It is The Arrival.

Advent is not about waiting for a baby to be born.  Advent is not about waiting for a religion to be established.  Advent is not about gifts or liturgy or days on the church calendar.

It is a weary, hurting world tracing the promises of God through time.

It is the groaning of mankind under weight of sin so heavy it cannot lift its head.  From the first debt of sin to a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!", Advent traces kings and kingdoms and goats and alters in search of an everlasting hope - Emmanuel, God with us.

This is Advent: the coming of hope to the hopeless, the arrival of peace to war-torn exiles, the long-awaited exhale of freedom for generation after generation gasping for air.

Advent is the elaborate yet stunningly simple plan of God to descend to His children, to become like them in the most unexpected, unglamorous, fully human way.

This is the beginning of a great ransom story."

Anyway, those are not my words, but they became my heart.  They truly struck a chord that I'm not sure had ever been struck in the same way before.  I was moved and knew that advent had to be a part of our traditions not just this year, but for all Christmas seasons to come.  I suddenly realized that though I've always loved Santa and the "magic of the season" it was no longer important to me at all.  (I'm not trying to start an anti-Santa campaign of any kind, so please don't misunderstand my words.)  I wanted to learn to anticipate freedom and redemption and Jesus and all he brings through his life, death, and resurrection the way I had always anticipated Christmas.... and I know I want to teach my children to do the same.

So, I went on a search.  I decided to start working on making an advent calendar that worked for us.  Not just a Christmas countdown, like so many advent calendars seem to be, but something with real meaning that "traced the promises of God through time." I had previously come across this lady's website that I'd used several times in teaching Sunday school and she had some free downloads that I wasn't sure if I'd use, but ended up saving just in case.  I remembered they kind of went through the Bible from the Old Testament to New so I went back and took a look...  they were titled "The Jesse Tree Advent Project."  I had no idea what a Jesse tree was, so I had to read about that also.  It turns out, its a really neat way to journey through scriptural events that occurred before Jesus's birth.  The term "Jesse tree" comes from Isaiah 11:1-"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse: from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."  This verse refers to Jesse, the father of King David, who was in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  My wheels began to turn.  I read and searched and read and searched.  Finally, I settled on this set of printables that followed along with the Jesus Storybook Bible that we already owned and love!  (If you don't know this version of the Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and you have children, or even if you don't, you must find it!)  The printables came from keepinglifecreative.com.  Pam, the creator of the website, designs these beautiful digital felt images that are perfect for using on felt boards.  You just print and laminate and put some felt on the back and they're perfect!  The Jesse Tree set can be purchased on Teachers pay Teachers for $6.00 and then she has a free download so that you can pick just the ones that go along with the Jesus Storybook Bible.  Then, with a stroke of luck, I found kelleighratzlaff.com!  She has a timeline and tutorial on how to make your own Jesse Tree ornaments.  Perfect!

Finally, I took all my ideas and nailed down a plan.  I saw this Jesse Tree on Etsy that I really liked and tried to make my own using my new resources.  Here's what I came up with


It's by no means perfect, but I made it!  If you look closely, or even not so closely, you can tell the red felt that backs the tree is VERY crooked.  But each piece is made from felt and hand embroidered/sewn.  I look forward to using it for years to come and eventually passing it on like a family heirloom.  

Here are some shots of my favorite ornaments.




I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, even with its crookedness.  

And one more picture, just because it makes my heart so happy to see hime enjoy it.




12 comments:

  1. This is too too perfect! Please make more! And sell one to me... with a guide for each ornament ♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. O Mama Mia, If I had infinite amounts of time, I'd gladly do this for you... Sorry my life is far too busy right now. :) (The best kind of busy!) You can do it!!

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. I agree you should sell these...you would have a buyer here!

      Delete
  2. I just LOVE how you have created these. I would like to make these this year with our children. However, I am just lost at how you created these from the print outs from Pam?? Can you elaborate on the process you went through to create these? It is much appreciated.... Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://kelleighratzlaff.com/life/12-days-blog-hop-jesse-tree-advent-with-the-jesus-storybook-bible/

      If you click on this link, also found in the post above, she shares step by step how she uses the images to print onto iron on transfers. I would have never known what to do without the help of her detailed instructions. :) I hope that helps!

      Delete
    2. Let me clarify, I printed on iron on transfer paper instead of card stock and then iron my images onto white felt circle cut by a die cut machine.

      Delete
  3. Hi there
    Well how things come about!!
    I'm in the UK
    And for some reason., needed to find out what Emannuel really meant this morning., as I was about to begin., sewing for Christmas.
    In doing so I found this item.,
    And the advent candles.
    I was dismayed by the lack of fabrics that showed only the lack of faith and priority given to mythical stories and Hollywood animations..
    So I thank you for the Jesse tree., and showing it., so I can work with my grandchildren to make one .
    I hope you make more., and God bless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure how I missed this comment, but I'm thankful you found my little tree and that it inspired you to do something with your sweet grand babies. There is no greater gift you can give them than Jesus. I pray that you've been enjoying it this Advent season. :)

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I stumbled upon your site after looking for DIY jesse tree ornaments to go with the book by Ann Voskamp: Unwrapping the greatest gift. I absolutely adore these ornaments for the Jesse tree tradition and am planning on making them with a few friends. Could you tell me more about the materials you used? What kind of felt/yarn did you use? Additionally, what are the size of each ornament? Thanks for sharing your creativity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m so glad you found my little tree! What a sweet compliment. :) Each ornament is about 3 inches in diameter cut out of felt and stuffed with polyfil. I couldn’t find all the same types of felt for the colors I wanted, so some are just made from the regular cheapy craft felt and others are made from the better more expensive wool felt. I purchased some by the yard and some in 9x11 sheets in the craft section. It all came from Joann’s. All the stitching and embroidery is just regular embroidery floss. You can purchase it by the skeen or often find it in large bags with lots of colors to choose from- that is the route I took because I wanted lots of variety and it was less expensive that way. I pray your Jesse tree project is as much a blessing to you and your family and friends as it has been to mine.

      Delete