Welcome back to ‘Tis the Season – a 4-week series focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. I have joined forces with Erin at The Humbled Homemaker and Mindy at The Purposed Heart for a few weeks to help you focus on Christ this holiday season.

What a rich season of celebration and serving this Christmas has been. It is so easy to look at our circumstances and think God has forgotten us, even when we are experiencing depression. But God has not forgotten us, and He is so glad to be called our God.

I am so thankful for truth this holiday season! Doesn’t it make you want to shout to the roof tops? Doesn’t it make you want to sing really loud even though you can’t carry a tune in a bucket?

Well, friends, ’tis the season to sing and rejoice in Jesus Christ our Savior!

My 2 favorite CHRISTmas albums that you should sing really loud every where you go:

1. Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin just rocks. He is so incredibly talented. This is my favorite album this year. My favorite is Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy). It makes me want to raise my hands and dance every.single.time.

2. Do You See What I See? by Todd Agnew

 Todd Agnew created a beautiful story with this album. I love imagining what something must have been like for someone. I love descriptions. I love putting myself in other people’s shoes. I love relating. This album puts me in the mind of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, etc., and it forces me to step outside my 21st century self and truly worship my King who came in complete humility. I love This is All I have to Give (Joseph’s perspective).

What about you? What Christmas albums are your favorite?

Be sure to check out the other ladies participating in this series to see what they are singing this Christmas season:

Tis the Season to Sing – When All You Hear is Silence @ The Humbled Homemaker
Tis the Season to Sing and Let Your Heart Be Touched @ The Purposed Heart

By the way, if you’re enjoying this post, please consider subscribing to my blog (and get a free copy of Healthy Holidays: Slightly Indulgent Sweet Treats).

In addition to our Advent calendar, we have decided to embark on the journey of connecting the Old Testament with the New Testament through the use of the “Jesse Tree” this Christmas season.

The idea of the “Jesse Tree” stems from Isaiah 11:1-2:

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

There are several different ways you can do the “Jesse Tree.” Some start four weeks prior to Christmas while others start on December 1st. I don’t think there is any one right way to do it, but I would urge you to pray and seek the Lord on how best to use the “Jesse Tree” to inform the hearts of your family for the coming of Jesus Christ.

We decided to begin our “Jesse Tree” devotionals on December 1st. It will begin on this day every year. The reason? Well, I can’t count backwards four weeks from Christmas day. That is much too advanced for me. I needed to make it easy to remember. December 1st. We begin Advent and “Jesse Tree” activities and devotionals. Easy enough, right?

Each day, we read from scripture, starting at Creation and ending at the birth of Jesus, and we hang an ornament to represent that day’s reading. Every story points to Christ as the Messiah – the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies. It is true that every scripture breathes the name of Jesus. It has been so rewarding to have these scriptures come to life for us through the use of our “Jesse Tree.” The visual element of the ornaments helps the stories stick with us long after our reading.

We recycled our “Thankful Tree” to use as our “Jesse Tree.” I simply love it. We are also making our own ornaments as we go. Some days we don’t get around to actually making that day’s ornament, but that’s okay. We will try again next year. We’re in no hurry. We’re enjoying the process.

Below you can find pictures of our ornaments. I will be updating this page as we complete each day. Remember, we’re not going for perfection, so we might miss a day, but at least you can have some ideas for your own “Jesse Tree.”

December 1 – Jesse Tree – Pine Needles

December 2 – Creation – Earth

December 3 – Adam & Eve – Apple

December 4 – Noah’s Ark – Rainbow

December 5 – Promise to Abraham – Starry Sky

December 6 – Issac – Bundle of wood

December 7 – Jacob – Ladder

December 8 – Joseph – Multi-colored yarn

December 9 – Moses – Table of 10 Commandments

December 10 – Ruth – Wheat

December 11 – Joshua – Scarlet cord

December 12 – Samuel – Horn

December 13 – David & Goliath – Slingshot

December 14 – David – Crown

December 15 – Jonah – Whale

December 16 – Isaiah – Baby

December 17 – Micah – City/Bethlehem

December 18 – Esther – Gold sceptre

December 19 – Zechariah & Elizabeth – Pencil & Tablet

December 20 – John the Baptist – Shell w/ water

December 21 – Joseph – Hammer

December 22 – Mary – White Lily

December 23 – Journey – Star

December 24 – Jesus – Sandals

December 25 – Christ – Candle

What about you? Does your family use a “Jesse Tree” for teaching your children the connection between the Old and New Testament?

Other Resources for using a “Jesse Tree”:

• Our Jesse Tree: A Focused Advent Celebration @ Passionate Homemaking
• {Free} Jesse Tree Advent Family Devotional @ A Holy Experience
• Creating Meaningful Christmas Traditions @ Homemakers Challenge via The Encouraging Home

You’ll have to bear with me. I’m tired, and I just had a mug of Nutella hot chocolate. This means I am overly tired and hyped up on chocolate. Great. Now that we have that out of the way. Let’s proceed.

As we neared December 1st, frustration began to set in. We wanted to do an Advent Calendar full of fun things to do as a family each day, but we didn’t have a pretty little painted box with doors that opened to reveal the day’s treat. I don’t have time to frequent thrift stores (I’m having withdrawals) to find recycled treasures, and I was not paying full price for one from the store.

What’s a broke person to do?

If you know me, you know that I’m terrible at thinking outside the box. However, for the love of my family, I decided to give it a go. Look at what I discovered?

It’s an advent calendar … for broke people … who line dry their clothes diapers. Genius. Well, if you ask me, of course. It was my idea. I can say that, right? No? Well, ok then. Can I tell you what I did anyways? Thanks.

I cut out 25 Christmas trees from green (in case you couldn’t tell) card stock that I had on hand. I used black stickers to number each tree.

Then, I grabbed my clothes pins from the laundry room. Once my hot glue gun was dripping glue everywhere, I knew it was ready to go. I glued the trees to the clothes pins.

Voila! You have 25 “little boxes” for holding your treats!

Then, I made a list of 25 fun Advent activities to do together as a family. Ok, actually I cheated. I already had this done weeks ago. But you get the point.

25 Advent Activities

1. Open a special ornament and put on tree.
2. Town Christmas Parade.
3. Listen to Todd Agnew Christmas CD.
4. Take treats to friends.
5. Make hot chocolate and stir with candy canes
6. Make Christmas card for librarians.
7. Take a meal to a friend.
8. Make Christmas card for mailman.
9. Christmas lights at a local park.
10. Watch “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and eat popcorn.
11. Make a gift for someone in the military.
12. Mail Christmas cards.
13. Eat dinner in front of the Christmas tree (complete with fire).
14. Make homemade ornaments.
15. Pass out gifts to Daddy’s work.
16. Ice skating at Market Square.
17. Watch “A Christmas Carol,” and eat popcorn.
18. Walk through Bethlehem.
19. Work a new puzzle.
20. Drink Russian Tea by the fire.
21. Give Maddox a Christmas treat.
22. Read Mary, Did You Know?.
23. Read The Crippled Lamb.
24. Go to Christmas Eve service at church & wear new jammies to bed.
25. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

I put each of these on a slip of paper. Folded them up and tucked them into a clothes pin.

Finally, I ran a ribbon across my wall and nailed it in place. And with that, we have a broke person who line dries her clothes advent calendar.

What do you think?

Other Advent Resources You Should Check Out:
Family Tradition – Advent @ Stacy Makes Cents
Creating Meaningful Christmas Traditions @ Homemakers Challenge via The Encouraging Home

By the way, if you’re enjoying this post, please consider subscribing to my blog (and receive a free e-book to help with your holiday baking needs).

This post is linked to Manger Mondays.

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I’m so excited to announce a 4-week series for each Monday until Christmas: ‘Tis the Season! I’ll be joining Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker and Mindy @ The Purposed Heart in discussing the true meaning of Christmas. I hope you’ll join us!

Father Christmas.
Samichlaus.
Sinterklaas.

These are all names for the man we know today in North America as Santa Claus. Before he was dubbed Santa Claus, however, he had another name.

A jolly, portly man who fulfills every child’s wish replaced the humble servant thrown in jail for his faith. A man who prances into every toy store smiling while people pay to sit on his lap replaced the man who begged for people to not tell anyone that he gave gold to the poor children.

This man was Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas became the symbol of Christmas to encourage others to look outside themselves for a season and do good for the world – a breath of fresh air during some of the hardest times in history. Saint Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of night. He didn’t want to be seen while doing good, as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God.

Saint Nicholas was a man of valor and honor. He was a man who loved the Lord and sold his life to the service of his Heavenly Father through his care for the poor and needy. Saint Nicholas was generous and faithful. He was a servant lavishly blessing those in need so that they might see and savor Jesus Christ!

As we enter this Christmas season, the call to represent Christ well folds out before us. If you are a Christian, you are being observed. You are being watched.

This fact humbles me.

I am reminded of Charles Spurgeon’s words in answer for why we are here as Christians (I have quoted this once before during our marriage series. You may remember.):

The answer is – they are here that they may “live unto the Lord,” and may bring others to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as herald’s publishing salvation. We are here as the “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life … Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to “the praise of the glory of His grace.

As I think about this sweet season, known for its generosity and care for the poor, I want to remember Saint Nicholas. Furthermore, I want to look past Saint Nicholas at the one for whom he loved to point – Jesus Christ.

Regardless of your stance on Santa Claus, to celebrate Christmas with him or without him, let us not miss point. Our tendency this time of year bows toward selfishness. Let it not be said of us! May we guard against the looming selfish tendencies,  and point to the selfless work of Christ who came as a babe, died on the cross, and then, rose from the grave victorious for our sins!

Like Saint Nicholas, I want to illuminate Jesus Christ this holiday season, and I want you to as well. Therefore, I’ve put together a practical list of serving options for you to consider.

5 Serving Ideas to do as a family this holiday season:

1. Provide a meal to a friend.

Do you have a friend who is walking through a difficult season?

• Maybe she is in her first trimester of pregnancy (or the last weeks).
• Maybe this is the first holiday season he will celebrate without his beloved spouse who passed away this year.
• Maybe it is a single guy friend who doesn’t have family nearby.
• Maybe it is a single mom trying to make ends meet.

Ask yourself, “Who can I bless with a nice home cooked meal?”

Have them over for a meal, or take a meal to them. I know anytime a meal is provided to me I am so, so grateful.

I have a list of freezer meals that aren’t gross that you might want to consider making.

2. Surprise a person most forgotten.

Think about your daily life. Who is it that you see or use the services of daily that you take for granted?

Some ideas to get your brain moving:

• Mailman
• Librarian
• Janitor
• Trash pick-up
• Young man who bags your groceries

Make a treat or purchase a gift card for them to just say thanks. Package it nicely and leave it where they will find it.

We plan on making treats for our librarian and mailman this Christmas season, but while writing this, I have a specific young man from the grocery store that I would like to bless. Do you feel the Lord’s prompting? Respond. You won’t regret it.

Just so you know, this serving option makes me the most uncomfortable. So if you’re shaking in your shoes. I’m with you. But God has called us to serve, and this is one of the many ways that we can put to death fear of man and worship of self to bring honor to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I will be using Healthy Holidays: Slightly Indulgent Sweet Treats (free e-book) for my baking needs.

3. Volunteer at your local homeless shelter

Serving meals at your local soup kitchen seems like the most obvious choice, but yet, it’s often the most overlooked. Maybe because it has become so common, we’ve grown accustomed to it and fail to notice the significance. However, taking a couple of hours out of your Saturday to serve those who are desperate for you will no doubt cause your heart to swell with compassion. It will show your children the realities of this world, and in some cases, the consequences of poor choices.

Can’t serve a meal? Then, donate coats to the mission. Give money if you can.

The truth is that these people need our care regardless of the circumstances that landed them in this grave state. Share the love of Jesus with them. They are desperate for Him – just like you.

4. Give a gift to a child.

Every mall has a tree somewhere inside of it filled with little teddy bears with names of children you may never meet. Nevertheless, these children need you.

They could be children of parents who can’t afford to bless them this Christmas; or their parents are in prison; or they are simply at risk. They need love. This is a season when we can show this love in abundance.

So choose a child off the tree and shop together for this sweet little life, one made in the image of God, as a family. Bless them the way you would bless your own child.

5. Set aside an entire day to love your kids.

Turn off the computer. Leave the phone on the counter. Hit the off button on the TV. Snuggle up close and enjoy the little years. Talk about the boy troubles. Kiss the Boo-boos. Make a holiday treat.

It is so easy to forget those closest to home during this season of serving. It can go by so fast. We can have wonderful intentions when it comes to serving others, but to the neglect of our own home. Let this not be said of us. Love on your husband and kids without distraction. They need you.

What about you? What are some ways your family plans on serving others this holiday season?

Be sure to check out:

Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker – Tis the Season to Serve–With Little Ones
Mindy @ The Purposed Heart – 7 Practical Ways to Serve Others This Christmas

Remember to come back next week to hear about ‘Tis the Season to Celebrate!

By the way, if you’re enjoying this post, please consider subscribing to my blog (and receive a free e-book).

 Want more information on the history of Saint Nicholas? Go here.

Our decorations are up. Wanna see?

Now all we need is a fire, right?

Next week, I’m going to tell you more about our Jesse Tree and Advent tradition that we’ve started. Stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!

Do you have your Christmas decorations up yet?

By the way, if you’re enjoying this post, please consider subscribing to my blog.

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