When we began compiling the devotional for the Jesse Tree, our desire was to create something that would make it easy for families to pick up and do together without any preparation. It was our hope to create a book that would help the hustle and bustle of the season to slow down each day, and give you and your family a chance to reflect and remember the joy of the birth of our Savior.

We prayed each story would help you see God’s plan for a Savior, and the need for one. At the heart, the gospel.

Here’s an exerpt from the devotional:

You can see our complete list of devotional stories HERE.

Here is how the devotional is set up:

Verse of the Day
Bible Reading for THE STORY (My husband and I found this to be our own study time with the Lord to prepare our hearts for Christmas, and we read THE STORY to our kids. When they get to be a little older, we plan on reading the story from the Bible. Of course, do whatever is best for your family!)
THE STORY– This is the Biblical account written in narrative form for young children.
Questions to check for understanding.
Prayer to get you started. Feel free to pray your own prayer!
Worship–songs, poems, videos or books to inspire praising Him.
Extended Activity–Extra activities to do with children to help solidify what they learned. (All optional of course!)

The devotional is geared towards kids ages 3 – 8 years old.

{This does not mean it cannot be used for older kids or toddlers.}

We suggest having older children read the Bible verses for their own personal quiet time or aloud to the family. Encourage them to tell you the story back in their own words, and what they learned from the story. How can they not only hear God’s word, but follow it?

For toddlers we suggest picking a simple truth from the Bible Story with a verse, and focusing on a 3-5 minute summary of the story. We have included in the title of each devotional the “bottom line” that is a simple phrase to reinforce a truth of the character of God.

When we began the Jesse Tree with our daughter several years ago, it was the first time our family had read God’s Word together. The Jesse Tree kickstarted a desire in our home to spend time together getting to know God, reading His Word, worshiping Him as a family, encouraging and praying for one another year round.

Maybe this is your first time to do something like this in your family or you already spend a family “devotional” time together. The great news is that it doesn’t have to be this BIG study or super creative presentation. God’s Word speaks for itself.

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what

I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:11

It is amazing how our children can so easily pick up our habits. They imitate what we say, how we say it, and repeat what they see us do. If our children are to “catch” anything from us, let it be a desperate dependence upon Jesus.

Our devotional is a labor of love. It is our prayer and great hope that it will be a start to many days of gathering together as a family sharing in the joy of God’s great love for you.

IT IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER AND THE START OF THE JESSE TREE.

We want to fill your home with the reason for the season and my friends at Tabletop Truths are helping me do just that. This week I will be giving away a set of their Christmas placemats!!

Tabletop TRUTHS is a collection of durable, colorful placemats designed to be used as a springboard to Biblical knowledge, spiritual growth and great family conversations. Each mat comes with thought-provoking questions, conversation starters and Scripture references to help you teach your children.

And they have graciously given me a whole Christmas set to giveaway!! That’s 6 placemats, a $45.00 value, and they are adorable!! You will find that each one of these placemats corresponds with a story from our Jesse Tree devotional and I love how colorful and inviting they are for young children. Please enter to win below and I will announce a winner on Friday!