This time of the year, everyone is singing Christmas carols and decking the halls with the finest of greenery. Moods are lifted and smiles are seen across many faces. This season is also known as Advent. Recently, I have been blogging on different ADVENTures you can embark with your family this holiday season.

Along with the Advent wreath, you and your family may enjoy having a Jesse tree. The tree is a symbol taken from Isaiah 11:1, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” The verse describes Jesus’ family tree. Your Jesse tree can be as simple as a tree branch in a bucket of sand or a small sized Christmas tree. In our home we have a table top Christmas tree that serves as our Jesse tree.

The purpose of the Jesse tree is to tell the story of God’s redemption plan for us and the world through 25 symbols or ornaments if you will, from the Old and New Testaments. The ornaments follow the heritage of Jesus from the beginning of creation. The ornaments are hung each day beginning on December 1^st and ends on Christmas day.

The first ornament symbolizes the preexistence of God before all creation. The second and third ornaments show the beginning of sin, the need for Jesus and God’s redeeming promise for us. Ornaments 4-9 show the covenant with chosen people who would be examples blessed by God. Through the chosen people, Jesus would come to fulfill God’s covenant. Ornament 10, known as the symbol of Ruth, explains the salvation plan will be for everyone, not just the Jewish race. Ornaments 12-13, shows Jesus’ royal lineage of the Jewish nation. Numbers 13-19 are the prophecies foretelling Jesus’ arrival. Ornaments 20-21 symbolizes the presence of God with His people in exile, return, and in times of suffering. Ornaments 22-24 is the Christmas story and number 25 is all about worshiping Jesus.

The ornaments can be store bought or handmade. In the book, The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert, the author has Bible readings and devotionals for both children and adults. The Jesse Tree is a wonderful tool to make Christmas a time of celebrating Christ.

Symbols or Ornaments
for the Advent Jesse Tree

1. a globe or a picture of the Earth
   
2. an apple and a snake wrapped around it
   
3. an ark with a rainbow
   
4. a camel and a tent
   
5. a lamb
   
6. a ladder
   
7. a colorful coat
   
8. a tablet with ten numbers
   
9. a cluster of grapes
   
10. a sheaf of wheat
    
11. a slingshot
    
12. a scroll or Bible
    
13. a stump with a fresh shoot or a green leaf
    
14. a lion and a lamb
    
15. a dove and a crown
    
16. a lamb and the shepherd’s staff
    
17. a cross
    
18. a heart with writing on it
    
19. a Bethlehem town silhouette with star
    
20. a fiery furnace
    
21. a brick wall
    
22. a star
    
23. a candle or light
    
24. an angel
    
25. a baby in a manger or a nativity scene

This will be the first time we have had a Jesse tree in our home. We are planning to have the daily devotions from Mr. Lambert’s book and the hanging of the ornament at breakfast. We will begin our meal with the devotion and the placement of the ornament will end our breakfast before we head out to school and work. This year we are planning to start our day with Christ at the breakfast table and enjoy dinner with Christ.

Come back tomorrow and I will show you one way to prevent the Christmas “let down.” Until then…..

God Bless…….

“This is my favorite time of the year,” Joellen matter-a-factly stated, “Christmas is coming and everyone is so nice and doing good.”

I just smiled and thanked her for today’s blog entry.

I am floored by  how early the Christmas decorations are displayed in stores.   The  carols are barked, meowed, and Santa even does a hip hop version of  ”Wish You a Merry Christmas.”  We have even been talking to our kids about this year’s celebration.  Even our pastor talked about giving around the Christmas season, just this past Sunday.

It amazes me how generous people get between now and New Year’s.  Food banks are filled.  Toys are collected and handed out to children across the world.  People have a quick step and a Christmas tune on their lips.  Clinks of coins  into a red bucket warms the hearts of givers at the ringing of a bell.  Jo was right…. people do kind things around the holidays…..Perhaps that is why most love the season.

So answer this…..when we put away our silver bells why does the silver lining of giving have to be put up in the attic too?  Why do we feel the need to help out more during this time of the year instead of throughout the year?  That is the question Jo posed yesterday.  I didn’t have answer to that question.  She was right in saying that God doesn’t say in the Bible to take care of the orphans, widows, and the lame only during the Christmas season.

She’s so right!!  So, we at the Dettra house are planning a New Year’s resolution today…..In 2010, from January to December, we will be a giving family.  We are going to make a conscious effort to give….an not only our money but ourselves.  Even though we already volunteer weekly, there is so much more we can do.  Cookies baked and given to an elderly man sitting on his front porch waving at traffic.   Sending cards to family and friends throughout the year, will not only bring a smile but love felt.  I don’t know why I have no problem sending cards the Monday after Thanksgiving  and never drop a line throughout the year.  (Of course, send e-cards as a way to “go green.”)  How about a “just because” gift to someone in the office, in your church, or an old friend?  The possibilities are endless.

I challenge you to sit down with your family and find ways you can give more of yourself in 2010.  Start planning now so you can put it in your yearly budget.  Also, ask the kids where they want to volunteer.  You might be surprised.  They may suggest a local animal shelter, homeless shelter, food bank, or even to rake the leaves/plant flowers for an elderly neighbor.  If you plan it, you are most likely to follow through.  Happy Planning

God Bless…….

Oh my!!  It is almost Christmas Eve.  Mark and I have finally put the finishing touches on the homemade gifts.  We have been wrapping and enjoying our youngest jump for joy as Christmas day slowly creeps up.  There are many mixed feelings as the year closes.  Some are exhilarating and others  are heartbreaking.  So many lasting memories have been made in 2008; yet 2009 looks as equally blessed.

In the spring, my family and I feeling the crunch of today’s economical times, spent a weekend camping in our own backyard.  We built a fire, set up camp, and told family “camping” stories of the years gone by.  Watching the kids enjoy a huge bonfire (thanks to Mark), roasting marshmallows and laughing until our sides hurt, melted our “money” worries away.  We learned that a vacation isn’t where you go but how you spend the time with one another.

One of the biggest challenges we faced this year was me quitting my job.  At first, leaving just about killed me.  It wasn’t what I wanted; yet, in a strange way, it was a blessing that I never saw coming.  Between the depression caused by the endlessness of the job, the burn out that many children’s ministers endeavor, and the constant catch 22  guilt associated whenever I chose to spend time with my family or the time I chose to be away from them, it was a wonder I didn’t completely lose my sanity (although there are those who are going to be wondering).  And you know what, I would do it all over again to see those shining young faces saying yes to Jesus.  That is the part I miss the most.  I miss kneeling with the children and praying.  I miss the countless cheers and games we played to learn about Jesus.  I miss the moments when they would ask me to tell the more about a Bible story or about how Jesus loves them so!  I miss the dancing and singing of our praise.  I miss it.  I do.

Once I left I began to fear the worst. I didn’t have an identity anymore.  I had always had a title.  I was an interpreter, a teacher, a children’s minister and now I was becoming a “Home Economics Specialist” complete with daily chores!  At first, of course, I was thrilled to stay at home but my heart wanted more than scrubbing toilets.  I continued to pray asking God for my purpose.  I know I was born to do more than to be an associate to Mr. Clean.  I needed a purpose from God.  Then He spoke, “Speak and Motivate.”  Confused as to what exactly He meant, I continued to pray.  I was beginning to feel discouraged and a little impatient so I pumped up the praying efforts and one morning while walking God thumped me on the head with some really big news.  He gave me the titles of   Mother, Wife, Friend, Speaker, Motivator, and most of all “His Precious Child.”

In 2008, I have had to learn how to diligently be in tuned with our bank account.  I visit our Internet banking so often that I could be labeled obsessed.  We have squeezed our budget dry many months and yet we are still afloat.  We are learning what it means to be content, bargain hunters, and amateur economists.  Our children are learning about what it means to live with what we have and not to covet.  Our children are doing great without all of the “extras” in life like baseball, basketball, soccer, piano lessons, shopping trips to buy “new” stuff and I can go on and on….. I think you get the point.  We have learned to live with $3.24 in the bank for two weeks and stretch our meals to last until daddy gets paid.  Trust me I am not complaining, I am astonished at our success!!  Did you know that you can add Ketchup and BBQ sauce to the “mystery” food in the back of the freezer to make a cheap and easy gourmet meal that lasts for two days ?  The family of 7 out in Arizona who claims to be the cheapest family in America have nothing on the Dettra family of 4 in Sardis! I would love to display that trophy in the living room!  I am very proud of my family who are all sacrificing so that I can stay home. Our love and laughter is stronger than ever since I left the workforce.  I may miss the perks but I love my family and what we are doing together. Go Team Dettra!!

One of the hardest things I did this year was saying goodbye to my Granny.  She was the last remaining member of a generation in my family.  She was such a special and strong lady. I spent as much time with her as I could (remember the catch 22?) and I always called her when I pulled out of the drive on my weekly errand to Wal-Mart.  I don’t know how many times I have wanted to call her and I can’t bare the thought of deleting her number from my cell.  She was a blessing and I miss her greatly. Christmas is going to be hard this year!

Oh the blessings that were showered upon us! My son gave his life to Christ. My daughter entered middle school and I am surviving!  Mark and I are still newlyweds after being together 13 years! As we close 2008, we may look back on the memories, the heartaches, and headaches but we know that in order to grow we must leave the past in the past and face forward.  2008 is only a chapter in our lives and it is ending quickly.  So let’s say our goodbyes for the next few days and then look to 2009.

We have a bright future ahead of us!  Come on 2009!  We eagerly await your blessings!!