Jessie Tree
“A shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit”.
(Is 11:1)
(Is 11:1)
The Jesse Tree is
a visual representation of Jesus’s Ancestry. This genealogy
has often been represented in Church art as a tree growing from the reclining
figure of Jesse. The tree’s branches have pictures of other Old and New
Testament figures who were ancestors of Jesus.
To help
your children create their own Jesse Tree you will need a children’s
Bible to help them understand the stories. Next you will need
something to
use for your tree: a small artificial tree, a tree branch that is anchored in a
bucket or a large drawing of a tree on
cardboard. You will need craft supplies
to make the ornaments for your tree.
Suggestions for ornaments include: shepherd’s staff,
representing Jesse, a 6-pointed star for David, scales of justice for Solomon, a hammer for Joseph, a crown of stars for Mary. Make
one ornament for each day of Advent. Click here for a complete list of ideas for ornaments and relevant Bible passages.
Build a Creche
The tradition of having a nativity scene or “crèche” was made popular by St. Francis of Assisi. You and your children
(or grandchildren) can build your own Nativity set using toys your children already own. You will need something to use as a barn.
You will need a Mary, a Joseph, a baby Jesus, an angel, some shepherds, three wisemen, some animals and a manger.
As you build your creche tell your children the story of Jesus’s birth or better yet, ask them if they are able to tell you the story.
As you build your creche tell your children the story of Jesus’s birth or better yet, ask them if they are able to tell you the story.
Each night during Advent, your children can place a piece of straw in
the manger for each good deed that day.
Click here to
download a set of templates that you can use to make
a cut out Nativity scene.
Diocèse Catholique
Catholic Diocese
Alexandria-Cornwall
Advent
Advent & Christmas Links
Advent Wreath
Children love to anticipate Christmas. Help them channel that anticipation by making an Advent wreath as a family.
Purchase
a wreath of evergreens or go on a family outing to collect ever green branches to build your own wreath. Add decorations to your wreath,
such as pine cones and seed pods. Add three purple
candles and one pink candle to complete your advent wreath.
The Christ candle
Buy a large white candle and decorate it with symbols for Christ. Use old Christmas cards, sequins, holly,
etc. Light the candle on Christmas Eve to show that the Light of the World has arrived. Continue to light the Christ
candle throughout the year at Sunday dinner to remind your family of our waiting for Christ, as well as celebrating His birth and
Resurrection.
Filling the Manger
Have each child make a manger for baby Jesus. You can use any small box that can be covered
in something brown. Give each child as many pieces of yellow yarn "straw" as there are days in Advent. In addition, you
may want to provide your children with a list of suggested activities. Each day the child does a good deed or completes
the activity s/he can place a straw in the manger. By Christmas Eve they will have made a bed for Jesus with their good deeds.
Give each child a small doll that they can place in the manger.
The Advent Chain
Make a paper chain with as many links as there are days in Advent. Use purple and pink for the weeks, corresponding
to the weeks on the Advent wreath. Put a good deed on each link. Each day the child opens one link of the chain. Have your
children help decide on the good deeds that will go on each link.
Alms Box
Decorate an empty box to be used as a bank. Place it in a prominent place, your kitchen table for instance. Each
day of Advent you will place offerings into it. Decide with your children to whom you wish to give this gift. On
Epiphany, when according to tradition, the Kings gave their gifts to the Christ Child, you can give the gift away. Each day,
the children will be able to reflect upon their blessings. Each day count a different blessing, and put money in the box accordingly.
Here are some sample blessings to count:
Many Canadian children live in poverty and lack adequate clothing.
Give
2 cents for each pair of socks, tights and pantyhose each child has.
Was it cold enough to wear a coat today? Were you thankful
for your coat?
Give a penny for every coat, raincoat and jacket in your house.
"Give us this day our daily bread." Thank
God for feeding you today and give one penny for every slice of bread your family ate today.
Be creative! Think of the
Blessings you can count at this time of the year!
To help you and your family prepare during this Advent season we have gathered a number of resources, including information
about Advent, activities and crafts you can do with your children as well as interesting websites.
Diocèse catholique d'Alexandria-Cornwall Catholic Diocese
220, ch. Montreal Rd, C.P./Box 1388, Cornwall ON K6H 5V4 * 613-933-1138
Each day during the Advent season you can light the week’s candle(s) at dinner time following grace. Children can take turns lighting
the candles and blowing them out at the end of the meal.
The wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works that we do during this time of year. The pink candle, which is lit on the third Sunday, represents the joy of having arrived at the midpoint of our preparations for Christmas.
On Christmas Day, replace the old greens with fresh ones. Replace the coloured candles with four white ones that can be burned throughout the Christmas season.
Kids!
click here to join the Advent Adventure
For a print friendly version of the crafts click here.
