Jesse Tree Ornament Swap

This year I got to participate in a Jesse Tree ornament swap!

I have been doing a Jesse Tree for the children for three or four years now. I have found it to be very meaningful for all of us to read through the genealogy of Jesus each Advent in preparation for celebrating His birth.

I have been using quite modest ornaments for our Jesse tree: little circles I cut out of wrapping paper. So, when a fellow parishioner suggested we do an ornament swap, I signed up right away. Twenty-four ladies would focus on making twenty-four of one ornament each, then get together, share Advent ideas, eat cookies, and trade ornaments!

I chose the December fourth readings and the symbol of Noah's ark. I involved the children in making the foam ornaments with me, and we set up quite a little assembly line, which we worked for a couple of days till the job was done.

The ornaments I was given from the other twenty-three ladies are absolutely beautiful and make mine look quite childish (charmingly child-like, right?). Some are glass, some sewn, some quilted, some made of felt or wood or ceramic. They're exquisite. I decided to stretch out the enjoyment by not showing to the children when I got home, but instead I will reveal one during each day of December.

We have just more than one week before Advent begins! Are you preparing your pragmatic and spiritual ideas to make this Advent a good one? Are you planning what sacrifices your family will make during this mini-Lent? Click here and here for two of my most extensive posts on planning for Advent.