A Jesus Tree begins on Ash Wednesday with a bare tree branch. Each day there is a Scripture reading about the life and ministry of Jesus and a corresponding ornament to add to the tree. There are ornament kits available for this, but all of the ornaments are made out of felt. We decided to try to make our own ornaments using a variety of materials and "real objects." At the invitation of my friend Emily, a committe of us embarked on the planning several weeks ago. Last night we gathered at a local library and put together 47 ornaments! We were there - working HARD - until 11:00! But now we are all very excited about what we've accomplished. The ornaments are beautiful. We are ready to observe Lent in a special new way with our families.
Here are some pictures from our fun night of crafting. I wish I would have taken more shots of the elaborate set-up with various work stations. I was just too busy making all those ornaments! These are some busy, holy, crafty moms!
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Here is the document that each of the moms received to use as a guide for the Jesus Tree project:
Here are the ornaments:
Day 1 - The Presentation (Two Doves)
Day 2 - Jesus' Hidden Life (Saw)
Day 3 - The Baptism of Jesus (Shell)
Day 4 - Jesus Tempted in the Desert (Small Container of Sand)
Day 5 - Miracle at Cana (Wooden Wine Jar)
Day 6 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Whip)
Day 7 - Sermon on the Mount (Origami Mountain)
Day 8 - Martha and Mary (Footstool)
Day 9 - Great Catch of Fish (Origami Fish)
Day 10 - Jesus Blesses the Children (Not pictured here - small frame with picture of our own children)
Day 11 - The Transfiguration (Decoupaged Image of Jesus' Transfiguration)
Day 12 - Curing of Ten Lepers (Bandaged Hand)
Day 13 - Jesus Quiets a Storm (Stuffed Felt Cloud/Lightning)
Day 14 - The Good Samaritan (Plastic Horse)
Day 15 - Jesus Walks on Water (Felt Water/Footprints)
Day 16 - Promise of the Eucharist (Chalice and Host Pin on Felt)
Day 17 - Lost Sheep and Good Shepherd (Wooden Sheep)
Day 18 - Jesus Feeds 5000 (Wooden Loaf and Fish)
Day 19 - Samaritan Woman at the Well (Bucket)
Day 20 - Cripple at the Pool (Mat)
Day 21 - Nicodemus Comes to Jesus (Decoupaged Dove)
Day 22 - Return of the Prodigal Son (Decoupaged Image)
Day 23 - Rich Man and Lazarus (Angel)
Day 24 - The Call of Matthew (Velvet Money Bag)
Day 25 - The Blind Man (Decoupaged Image)
Day 26 - The Man With the Withered Hand (Wooden Hand with Band-Aid)
Day 27 - The Centurian's Servant (Cocktail Sword)
Day 28 - Zaccheus (Tree)
Day 29 - Peter Receives the Keys to Heaven (Small Key)
Day 30 - Widow's Son Brought Back to Life (Tear Drop Jewel)
Day 31 - A Coin for Caesar (Decoupaged Image of Roman Coin from 54 AD)
Day 32 - Lazarus Raised from the Dead (Pipe Cleaner/Gauze Mummy)
Day 33 - The Adultress (Gray Stones)
Day 34 - The Widow's Mite (Two Pennies Strung Together)
Day 35 - Woman Anoints Jesus' Feet (Foot Brad Attached to Felt)
Day 36 - The Rich Young Man (Gate to Heaven)
Day 37 - The Mother of James and John (Decoupaged Image of Throne)
Day 38 - Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem (Palm)
Day 39 - Judas Takes 30 Silver Pieces (Burlap Money Bag)
Day 40 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet (Washbasin - Clear Bowl Filled with Clear Glue and Draped with Cloth)
Day 41 - The Last Supper (Chalice Pin on Felt)
Day 42 - Agony in the Garden (Decoupaged Image of Praying Hands)
Day 43 - Peter Denies Jesus (Wooden Rooster)
Day 44 - Pilate Presents Jesus to the People (Crown of Thorns)
Day 45 - Jesus is Crucified (Small Crucifix)
Day 46 - The Burial of Jesus (Draped Wooden Cross)
Day 47 - The Resurrection (Empty Clay Tomb)
Aren't they great? I can't believe we pulled them all together! I haven't shown them to my boys. I think that each morning during Lent they will "discover" the ornament for the day in a special box on our prayer table. Today we found this branch in the park:
This weekend's project will be to find a way to pot it.
Jessica at Shower of Roses uses the felt kit, which follows the same readings. She includes links to coloring pages for each day! You can find them by starting here . Thanks Jessica for the inspiration and hard work!
I will try to post our other plans for Lent (as soon as I get them finalized). Meanwhile, I'll be busy planning a little celebration for someone special who is truning 40 in a few days! Enjoy these days of Carnival, the last hoorah before the rigors of Lent!
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