 Isn't this just so timely! I received this in my email from the Museum of the Bible today. Here is more information about the Jesse tree.
And...if you have never visited the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., you must! They have five floors of exhibits and they have theatrical events, too. It is a top-notch museum. I have been recording a devotional for each day leading up to Christmas Day and it is not too late for you to get in on this if you would like. Sign up for my email list.  Read: Isaiah 11:1-2
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. I invite you to join me on a 25 day journey to celebrate the birth of Christ! [If you are late to this "party" that's ok, you can still join in and watch the previous videos.] Each day, beginning December 1st, I will be sharing a video of a devotion only to my email subscribers, so if you want to participate and be blessed, please sign up for my email. You will need a little tree of some kind, either artificial or even a twig in a pot, as long as it has lots of branches. Next, you or your children will need to make an ornament for each day that represents the topic of that devotion. The list is below. You can be creative and crafty and make something yourself or you can download and color some ornaments. I do recommend purchasing the book, The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert, as it contains one page with devotions especially geared to kids and the other side (the one I will be sharing) geared to adults. It also has hymn suggestions to sing and the accompanying Scripture verses. What a great way to start the day! Day 1 – a globe or picture of the earth Day 2 – an apple and a snake wrapped around it Day 3 – an ark with a rainbow Day 4 – a camel and a tent Day 5 – a lamb Day 6 – a ladder Day 7 – a colorful coat Day 8 – a tablet with ten numbers Day 9 – a cluster of grapes Day 10 – a sheaf of wheat Day 11 – a slingshot Day 12 – a scroll or Bible Day 13 – a stump with fresh shoot or green leaf Day 14 – a lion and a lamb Day 15 – a dove and a crown Day 16 – a lamb and a shepherd’s staff Day 17 – a cross Day 18 – a heart with writing on it Day 19 – a Bethlehem town silhouette with star Day 20 – a fiery furnace Day 21 – a brick wall Day 22 – a star Day 23 – a candle or light Day 24 – an angel Day 25 – a baby in a manger or a nativity scene  Most people, I would say, have heard of Handel's Messiah, or at least the "Hallelujah Chorus." However, I was well into adulthood before I had ever heard of this famous oratorio. I was in a choir rehearsal at my church and one of the sopranos made some comment about everyone knows the "Hallelujah Chorus." I was so obliging to have her meet one of those heathens who had never heard of it. I thought the poor woman's eyeballs were going to fall out, she had never encountered such impoverished musical ignorance before! I was equally shocked at my appalling ignorance and sought to speedily remedy that. I obtained a copy of the complete Messiah and listened to it in its entirety. It didn't grab me. My first thought was, "I am so woefully ignorant, I just don't get it. This is a really special piece of music, so I must try harder." On the second go around, it still didn't take hold. Finally, determined to find what I was missing, I got a copy of the libretto (the words) and listened in small sections with ATTENTIVENESS. Only then did I began to understand, to get the overview, to become more acquainted with it. Now, I not only have favorite sections, but I LOVE the entire oratorio. Since then, I have learned some riveting details. Handel wrote the music in a mere 17 days. It has been performed somewhere in the world every year since it was first performed April 13, 1742. He wrote it to benefit London orphans. All of the words are from the King James Bible and tell a story of Christ,'s birth, death, and resurrection. A truly wonderful devotional that comes with a CD of some selections is The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader by Donna Payne and Fran Lenzo I cannot recommend this highly enough as a great part of your family's musical education and one that will enhance their appreciation of the Messiah. One of my favorites is: I Know that My Redeemer Liveth I know that my Redeemer liveth, And on the earth again shall stand; I know eternal life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand. Chorus: I know, I know that Jesus liveth, And on the earth again shall stand; I know, I know that life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand. I know His promise never faileth, The word He speaks, it cannot die; Tho’ cruel death my flesh assaileth, Yet I shall see Him by and by. 1 I know that my Redeemer liveth, And on the earth again shall stand; I know eternal life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand. Chorus: I know, I know that Jesus liveth, And on the earth again shall stand; I know, I know that life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand. I know His promise never faileth, The word He speaks, it cannot die; Tho’ cruel death my flesh assaileth, Yet I shall see Him by and by. [Chorus] I know my mansion He prepareth, That where He is there I may be; Oh, wondrous thought, for me He careth, And He at last will come for me. [Chorus]  I just have to share another treasure with you from The Annual of Christmas Literature and Art. Plus...reading always gives me ideas!
Isn't this Christmas Alphabet art a beautiful way to tell the Christmas story? Wouldn't this be a fun writing and art project to give your children? They could make a Christmas Alphabet for their younger siblings.  I have a real affinity for Christmas stories, and for stories in general, and books, but we won't go there! One hot Arizona summer day, I picked up an annual Christmas publication at a thrift store called Christmas: The Annual of Christmas Literature and Art (Volume 61). It is a collection of stories, art, poems, and non-fiction, much like another one of my favorite publications, Ideals, that has gone out of print.
You have probably never heard of Mary Ann Robertson, but she painted...one of which is "White Christmas" that you see here. You know this American folk artist better by the name of Grandma Moses. Encourage your little artists to use the whole paper and draw a winter scene in the same style as Grandma Moses!  I love Christmas traditions and learning about them from around the world is great fun! Did you know it was the Germans who are responsible for many of the things we do today, such as decorate Christmas trees. They also make edible decorations to hang on the tree, such as cinnamon stars. These are also enjoyed in Switzerland. (See recipe below.)
I was thinking about my childhood Christmas and one of my fondest memories includes some elderly neighbors who lived down the street. They are long since passed away, I am sure. They were like second grandparents to me; a kind elderly woman and her elderly son. Nowadays, sadly, you would be hesitant to let your children befriend adult neighbors, but that was a different time. These people invited me and my friend into their home and shared Christmas treats and conversation with us. One of the things I have always remembered is how uniquely their Christmas tree was decorated. They adorned them with little red mushroom ornaments and explained that this was one of their German Christmas traditions. I am also reminded of another dear elderly friend, Wes, who has also passed away a few years back, who was enamored of all things German. He spoke German fluently and taught it as a university professor. To celebrate these dear ones in my life, I share this in their memory... an article about a German Christmas in Heidelberg. German-Swiss Zimtsterne (Be sure to enjoy some and save some to decorate your tree.) Ingredients: 3 t. butter or margarine 1-1/2 c. sugar 2 whole eggs 1 egg, separated 1 t. lemon juice 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour 2-1/2 t. baking powder 1-1/4 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. nutmeg 1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts Directions: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. 2. Mix butter, sugar, 2 whole eggs, 1 egg yolk, and lemon juice until fluffy. 3. Measure flour. Stir dry ingredients together; blend into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts. 4. Divide dough into thirds. Roll out dough on a lightly floured board to 1/8" thickness. 5. Cut out with a 3 inch star cutter. 6. Brush tops of cookies with beaten egg white. 7. Bake on a lightly greased baking sheet 6 to 8 minutes. Makes 6 dozen. |
Renee MetcalfWhere will you find me when I am not teaching? For your reading pleasure!
May 2026
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