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Christmas is a wonderful time for celebration. A time to remember ’s amazing act of love in sending his Son. A time to remember that the story of Christmas began before God even created the world. It was already in God’s mind that he would send his only Son to earth, to be born in and, then later, to die to save us from the consequences of our sin. Christmas takes on an even greater meaning when we know the background that lies behind it from the .

This Christmas devotional guide will help you and your family to understand the magnitude and beauty of God’s work throughout history. It follows God’s story from the moment of creation, right up to the birth of in an animal shed. It will remind you of God’s sovereign control over all things and his loving plan to bring salvation to all people. We hope you and your family enjoy the Jesse Tree as much as we did.

We trust you and your child(ren) will discover the rich thread of Jesus’ story. Who knows, the Jesse Tree might just become a wonderful family tradition for you too. 1. BEGIN BY MAKING A JESSE TREE A Jesse tree is simply a branch from your garden which you place in a pot and locate in your dining/lounge room. As you use this guide you will see this branch will carry the story of Jesus. He is described in 11:1 as the “shoot” of the “stump of Jesse”, the “branch” that “will bear fruit” (:1). This image is a link between the and New Testament elements of ’ work of salvation. In fact, when Jesus was called a in Matthew 2:23 we are told he fulfilled what was said through the . Matthew is referring to Isaiah 11:1. (The word Nazarene has the same root as the Hebrew word Branch). With this background in mind we call this branch the Jesse tree. Each day, after you have completed the Bible reading, hang the symbol for that day on the Jesse tree. These do not need to be fancy. Simple drawings or cut out pictures look great. The children can take it in turns to do the pictures. If you hang these from the bottom of your Jesse tree and work your way up then by Christmas Day you will have 25 symbols which tell the ’ story.

You could also make a Christmas Calendar. Draw up an outline of the 25 days and in each box put the symbol for the day.

Whatever you choose to do it doesn’t need to be a major production. Children will enjoy doing something different. But you can let them be as creative as your time and resources will allow.

2. BEGIN YOUR FAMILY DEVOTION BY READING THE KEY VERSE AND THE PASSAGES The Bible readings for each day can also be adapted to suit your children’s ages and learning levels. On some days large amounts of Biblical information are covered, so only selected verses are highlighted. The key verses can be used as a memory verse if you like. How about a family challenge to see who can remember the most verses?

3. ASK YOUR CHILDREN TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS (They could take turns asking the questions.)

4. TELL EVERYONE WHAT THE DAY’S SYMBOL IS AND EXPLAIN WHY IT IS SO

5. TIE/HANG THE SYMBOL ON YOUR JESSE TREE

6. REVIEW THE STORY BY LOOKING AT THE SYMBOLS ON YOUR JESSE TREE For example you might ask: What does the rising sun mean? Why did God make the rainbow?

7. FINALLY Conclude your devotional time with prayer, committing your family to our Heavenly Father and asking him to help you to grow in the knowledge and love of him. DAY ONE CREATION

Symbol Questions Rising sun on horizon What was the earth like before God created anything?

Key Verse some things God has created. In the beginning God created the heavens What is your favourite thing that God has created? and the earth. Genesis 1:1 Who was with God in the beginning? Scripture references Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-5 Who is the light of men? Why do you think he is called that?

DAY TWO CREATION OF MAN Symbol Man\Woman Questions In whose image was man created? Key Verse God created man in his own image, in the How did God make the man? image of God he created him: male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 How did God create the woman? What did God tell the man and woman to do? Scripture references Genesis 1:26-30, 2:7-8, 20-23 DAY THREE THE FIRST SIN Symbol Tree of snake Questions What did God say and Eve could do? Key Verse The wages of sin is death but the gift of How did the serpent try to trick them? God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. :23 What happened after they ate the fruit? Why? How would you define sin? Scripture references Genesis 3:1-9

DAY FOUR THE FLOOD Symbol Questions Rainbow Why did God send the flood? Key Verse Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I What did God ask to do? will see it and remember the everlasting covenant What was the promise God made to Noah after the flood? between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. Genesis 9:16 What does everyone deserve?

Scripture references What is God’s gift? Genesis 6:5-8, 7:17-23, 9:11-16 DAY FIVE THE PROMISES TO Symbol Starry sky Questions Why did Abram leave his home? Key Verse I will make you into a great nation and I Where did Abram go? will bless you…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3 What were God’s promises to Abram? How could the whole world be blessed through Abram and Scripture references his family? Genesis 12:1-7 DAY SIX JOSEPH

Symbol Questions Coloured coat How did Joseph’s brothers feel about him? Key Verse What did they do? We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are How did God use Joseph to save his people? called according to his purpose. :28 What did Joseph know about God and his plan that helped him to forgive his brothers? Scripture references Genesis 37:3-36, 45:3-13, 50:18-21 DAY SEVEN THE EXODUS Symbol The parted sea Questions

Key Verse Why were God’s people in Egypt? Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? What was God going to do? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders. Exodus How did he do it? 15:11 What did God reveal about himself? Scripture references Exodus 1:6-7, 6:1-8, 12:31, 14:13-31 DAY EIGHT MOSES & THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Symbol Questions Stone tablets What was written on the stone tablets? Key Verse The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Who gave these laws to Moses? Lord your God with all your heart, with all your Why do God and our parents give us rules? soul and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4,5 How do God’s rules help us live day by day? Scripture references Exodus 32:15-16, 20:1-20 DAY NINE THE PROMISED LAND Symbol Questions Fruits of the promised land What did the men discover about the land they explored? Key Verse Did they go into the land straight away? Why/why not? Praise the Lord all my soul and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2 Why was the promised land going to be such a great blessing for God’s people? Scripture references Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20, 26-33, 14:5-9, What are some of the ways God blesses us today? 26-34 DAY TEN JOSHUA

Symbol Questions Trumpet What was on the other side of the Jordan River? Key Verse What did God tell Joshua and the they were not Be strong and courageous, because you will to forget? lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give to them. Joshua 1:6 What was God about to do for his people? How did God fulfil his promise? Scripture references Joshua 1:1-9, 4:19-24, 21:43-45 DAY ELEVEN KING Symbol Crown Questions

Key Verse What was King David’s background? How great you are, O sovereign Lord! There What else do you know about David? is no one like you, and there is no God but you. 2 7:22 What promise does God make to King David?

Scripture references What does David say God is like? 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Samuel 7:8-16, 18-29

DAY TWELVE JOSIAH

Symbol Questions Scroll What happened to God’s word before Josiah’s time? Key Verse Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my What did King Josiah do when he found the book? path. Psalm 119:105 Why should we read the Bible? Scripture references How can the Bible be like a light to us? 2 Kings 22:11-13, 23:1-3 DAY THIRTEEN JUDGEMENT & EXILE Symbol Scales Questions What had the people of failed to do? Key Verse Therefore O house of Israel, I will judge What was God’s response to their actions? you, each one according to his ways. Repent! Ezekiel 18:30 Why were God’s people taken into exile? What was the significance of God’s people being taken into Scripture references exile? :1-4, 2:12, 17-18, 2 Kings 25:8-12 DAY FOURTEEN RETURN Symbol Group of people Questions Key Verse I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out What is God like according to these verses? of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture. Jeremiah What promise does the Micah verse refer to? 23:3 Why will God bring his people out of exile? Scripture references :7-8, Jeremiah 33:10-11, Micah 7:18-20 DAY FIFTEEN NEW COVENANT Symbol Heart Questions

Key Verse Who is making the covenant? I will put my law in their minds and write it Whom is he making it with? on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 What will God do?

Scripture references What is our part in this? Jeremiah 31:31-34

DAY SIXTEEN PROPHECY - SHOOT FROM STUMP OF JESSE

Symbol Questions Shoot growing from stump Who was Jesse the father of? How is Jesse like a stump, and Key Verse who is the new branch growing out of him? A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse... the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him. Isaiah What will this person be like? 11:1,2 Why does our world need a righteous judge like Jesus? Scripture references How did Isaiah know about Jesus hundreds of years before Exodus 32:15-16, 20:1-20 he was born? DAY SEVENTEEN PROPHECY - PRINCE OF PEACE Symbol Dove and crowns Questions Key Verse What different is Jesus called in these verses? A child is born to us! A son is given us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called Wonderful In what ways does the world need a Prince of Peace? Counsellor, Might God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. :6 What things trouble you? How can Jesus bring peace to you?

Scripture references Isaiah 9:6-7, John 14:27 DAY EIGHTEEN PROPHECY - LION AND CALF Symbol Lion and calf Questions Key Verse Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and Why will all the animals be able to play safely together? leopards will lie down with goats. Calves and lions will feed together, and little children will When will this happen? take care of them. Isaiah 11:6 What do you think you will enjoy about heaven? Scripture references Isaiah 11:6-10, Revelation 21:1-4 DAY NINETEEN PROPHECY - GENTLE SHEPHERD Symbol Sheep and Shepherds crook Questions

Key Verse What are some of the ways in which a shepherd cares for his He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers sheep? them in his arms and carries them close to How are we like sheep? his heart. :11 How does Jesus act like a shepherd to us? Scripture references Isaiah 40:10-11, Psalm 23:1-2, John 10:27

DAY TWENTY PROPHECY - SUFFERING SERVANT

Symbol Cross Questions Key Verse What was God’s plan for Jesus? God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who has Why did Jesus have to die? faith in him will have eternal life and never die. John 3:16 Why was Jesus willing to die? How should we respond to him? Scripture references , John 10:14-15 DAY TWENTY ONE PROPHECY - BETHLEHEM Symbol Questions Bethlehem skyline What did the Old Testament prophets know about Jesus’ Key Verse birth? But you Bethlehem, though you are small, How did they know? out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel. Micah 5:2 Where did Joseph live?

Scripture references Why did he have to go to Bethlehem? :14, Luke 2:1-4

DAY TWENTY TWO ANGEL VISITS MARY Symbol Questions Manger Who was Joseph a descendant of? Why was this Key Verse important? You will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:31 What does the angel say about Jesus? What does the angel say Jesus will do? Scripture references Luke 1:26-38 How does Mary respond to the angel’s message?

DAY TWENTY THREE ANNOUNCEMENT TO SHEPHERDS Symbol Questions Angel What was the angel’s message to the shepherds? Key Verse What were the different reactions of the shepherds? Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God. Luke 2:14 Why was everyone amazed?

Scripture references How can we share the good news about Jesus like Luke 2:8-20 the shepherds did?

DAY TWENTY FOUR WISE MEN FOLLOW STAR

Symbol Star Questions Key Verse Who saw the star in the east and why did they follow it? Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come Did King Herod want to worship Jesus? to worship him. Matthew 2:2 What gifts did the visitors bring? Scripture references Matthew 2:1-12 DAY TWENTY FIVE JESUS - LIGHT OF THE WORLD Symbol Questions Candle What was Simeon waiting for? Key Verse What did Simeon say about Jesus? I am the light of the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will How is Jesus the light for the whole world? have the light that gives life. John 8:12 Scripture references How do we walk in the light that Jesus gives? Luke 2:25-32

CHRISTMAS AT ST PAUL’S Join us this Christmas season, head to stpauls.church/christmas

St Paul’s Castle Hill 421 Old Northern Road Castle Hill, NSW 2154 8858 1111 | [email protected] | stpauls.church

Note: This material was written by John and Robyn Gray and is adapted from Kent and Barbara Hughes’ book ‘Common Sense Parenting’.