JESSE TREE 2013

So here we are in the Christmas season coming out of Advent(Our preparation for Christmas), and I look at our Jesse Tree reflecting.

It was a beautiful thing to create this for 24 days until now as a family.  Each day, with our Advent wreath praying, reading scripture, and reflecting.  Everyone had a part in it. . . My mom, who had never sat and read scripture before read with us; my sister who has such a beautiful spirit and soul alternating with me as we reflected back after each of the scriptures; and Christian who just sat and soaked it all in as he colored and created the art for our tree.  It was cool even in our final days, as my Grandparents came to be with us prayed and read with us, which is something neither of them has ever really done.

What is a Jesse Tree exactly? . . . And why Jesse? . . . Well, Jesse was the father of the great King David of the Old Testament. He is often looked upon as the first person in the genealogy of Jesus.  This process of creating the tree is much like a family tree that many of us do to understand our ancestry and the culture of our own family.  This practice of creating this tree, in preparation for Christmas helps us to understand our ancestry as we are truly one family in Christ.  Trees in themselves hold great symbolism, and as a family to reflect and understand these things helps to bring great love and unity.

All I can say is, you may want to experience it for yourself!  No matter what faith, denomination, or lack of faith, this is a great meditative experience to bring into your home. I had never done it before this year, and I can say it was a great way of launching a family prayer time to unify your household in a deeper sense.

PS- Click this link for a little more info and a guide in case you want to do a Jesse Tree with your family next year. - http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545

- The Symbol
- All is Love