Making A Jesse Tree

A couple of months ago, my friend wanted to know if I was interested in making a Jesse Tree* with her. I always loved the idea of doing an advent that had more meaning, that had more depth, and that would give me something more to think about each day leading up to Christmas. So I was in. As the end of November neared, my friend figured out all of the measurements, and we went out and purchased the supplies needed. I then went over to her house for the weekend and we spent our time creating our trees, watching Once Upon A Time, and chatting. I was super glad that I was able to hang out with my friend and I was thankful that she was just as excited to create this project as I was. I love how each tree turned out, both having so much character - it is so nice to be able to see the something we made from nothing.

This Christmas season it is my goal to read to my family from the Greatest Christmas Family Read-Along Edition. It is a beautifully illustrated book written by Ann Voskamp, one of my favourite authors. I cannot wait to dive deeper this advent, to read scriptures to Bug and Birdie, and to fully embrace Him this season. "So that come Christmas Morning" I haven't missed the whole point, and that is Jesus Christ.

*A Jesse Tree is the family tree of Jesus starting with Jesse who is the father of David. The ornaments represent the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. 

The setup! Figuring out the layout for each branch and deciding if we want the star on the top. We voted no.

There is something so satisfying in having paint on my hand.

We painted our boards and stained our trunks (I forgot to take a picture of that) and left things to dry overnight.

The next morning! 

Putting holes into our boards so that we could screw in our hooks.

Gluing our boards to our trunks!

 Hers and Mine.

My tree with a printed ornament on it! So excited to start advent! And hers with her beautiful ceramic ornaments. Love, love, love this project!