Jesse Tree

This year I was involed in a Jesse Tree ornament exchange. 25 ladies all get together and each pick an ornament to make. There are specific ornaments to be made.  Then about a month later, we all gather again to exchange the ornaments. So each lady makes 25 of the same ornament, and then when all the ornaments are exchanged, you end up with a set of 25 ornaments. Then on December 1 you have a devotional for each day and the ornaments correspond to the devotionals. Each night the kids get to put the ornament on the tree that goes with the devotional for that night. The book we are using is called The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert. It has a devotional each night for children and adults, so you can pick which one is better for your family depending on the ages of your children. I have really enjoyed having these devotionals. It is a great way to focus on the Lord during the holiday season, and I have enjoyed the Bible talks that can come out of this.
A lot of people might be put off by having to make the ornaments. I actually had no idea what I would make until I went and saw what others had made. Also you are only making one ornament 25 times. So you don't have to be super creative.
Anyways this was a great experience and I hope to lead or be involved in a Jesse Tree ornament exchange at our next base. It was a lot of fun.
Anyways here is a picture of some of the ornaments...I already have some on the tree. :)

 Some of the ornaments the ladies made.

I made the Noah ark ornaments...my dear Husband was so sweet to cut the wood out for me.