Tomorrow we'll start decorating for the celebration of our Lord's birth. The first thing we do is bring out the Nativity. This is a special nativity my dear mother-in-law brought back for us from her trip to the Holy Land some seventeen years ago. It is hand made out of olive wood and each year is arranged on the fireplace mantle along with our Jesse Tree.

In the evening, we light the first Advent candle and start our Advent Readings. I posted these readings last year to keep a record for us but I'm listing them here to use in ordered days for this year. Each Jesse Tree person is listed next to the date and highlighted in red.

November 30 Waiting With Hope Adam
December 1 The Jesse Tree Jeremiah 23:5-6 & The Lord Our Righteousness Eve
December 2 Incarnation Noah
December 3 Why Was Jesus Born? To Be Our Prophet Abraham
December 4 Praise for the Gift of Gifts Sarah
December 5 Veiled Glory Isaac
December 6 Our Mediator Rebekah
December 7 Our Mediator, Our Redeemer Jacob
December 8 God In Our Life Work Leah
December 9 Infinite Highness, Infinite Condescension Judah
December 10 Infinite Justice, Infinite Grace Tamar
December 11 Infinite Condescension, Divine Dignity Perez
December 12 The Word Made Flesh Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, and Salmon
December 13 Infinite Glory, Lowest Humility Rahab
December 14 Why was Jesus born? To Be Our High Priest Boaz
December 15 Condescension and Love Ruth
December 16 Let Heaven and Earth Combine Jesse
December 17 Infinite Majesty, Transcendent Meekness David
December 18 Supreme Dominion, Greatest Spirit of Obedience Bathsheba
December 19 Absolute Sovereign-Independent, Perfect Resignation-Entirely Trusted Nathan
December 20 "Tabernacled" Among Us - Passing Picture, Permanent Eternal Truth Solomon, Josiah, Jehoiachin
December 21 Why Was Jesus Born? To be The King, Our King Joseph
December 22 Our Shepherd King Mary
December 23 Our Savior, Our King and Lord, Is With Us Jesus
December 24 Re-read or review any of the above readings and the family tree of Jesus.

I found new Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany resources for this year also.

"Amazing Grace" art used with permission by artist Deborah Woodall. See more of her art at Deborah Woodall