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Christmas is a wonderful time for celebration. A time to remember God’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 Bethlehem 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 Bible. 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 Jesus 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 Isaiah 11:1 as the “shoot” of the “stump of Jesse”, the “branch” that “will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1). This image is a link between the Old Testament and New Testament elements of Gods’ work of salvation. In fact, when Jesus was called a Nazarene in Matthew 2:23 we are told he fulfilled what was said through the prophets. 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 Bibles’ 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 Name 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 Adam 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. Romans 6:23 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 Noah 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 ABRAHAM 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. Romans 8:28 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 Israelites 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 DAVID 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 Samuel 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 Israel 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.