Here are the first symbols, for Ash Wednesday thru the first Sunday of Lent, which we will be using on our Jesus Tree this lent.
Starting on Ash Wednesday, each afternoon we will read a bible story from our family bible. Following that, I plan to re-read the story from New Catholic Picture Bible (NCPB) by Father Lovasik. The simplified stories and pictures in the children’s bible help to capture my children’s attention. I will list the pages here as well, in case any of you want to join us in this activity. The children will then take turns placing a symbol that represents the story on our tree. I am hoping to find coloring pages to go along with each story as well to finish off the activity.
In fact, you could do this Lenten bible study without even doing the tree. You could read the readings and then color a corresponding picture… (Older children could draw their own!) I will add links as I find them for coloring pages.
Day 1 ~ The Presentation
Symbol: Two Doves
Readings: Lk 2:22-38
NCPB: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Page 103
Coloring Page: The Presentation (Update: The Presentation)
Day 2 ~ Jesus in the Temple/Hidden Life
Symbol: Saw
Readings: Lk 2:41-52
NCPB: Jesus is Found in the Temple; The Hidden Life of Jesus Pages 108-111
Coloring Page: Jesus in the Temple (Update: Finding Jesus in the Temple)
Day 3 ~ The Baptism of Jesus
Symbol: Dove on Water
Readings: Mt 3:11-17, Mk 1:6-11, Lk 3:21-22
NCPB: The Baptism of Jesus 112-113
Coloring Page: Jesus is Baptized (Update: Baptism of Our Lord)
More Fun: Baptism of the Lord Crossword
Day 4 ~ Jesus Tempted in the Desert
Symbol: Tan Stones
Readings: Mt 4:1-11, Mk 1:12-13, Lk 4:1-13
NCPB: The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert 114-115
Coloring Page: Jesus Tempted (Update: Jesus is Tempted)
Day 5 ~ Jesus’ Miracle at Cana
Symbol: Wine Jar
Readings: Jn 2:1-11
NCPB: The Marriage at Cana 116-117
Coloring Page: Water into Wine (Update: Wedding at Cana)
To Be continued… only FORTY-TWO more to make! 🙂 It will be worth it though, and we will be able to reuse it every year!!**
**note: this is me talking myself into finishing this project 😉 Yikes! I wish I could get a couple of my sisters over here to help!
Thank you for your inspiration!
I Started my Jesse tree but didn’t finish it in time! So I am determined to start a Jesus tree similar to yours and finish it!
I love your Blog, you give me great ideas, and as a new homechooler I need them.
Thank you Michele! You can do it! 🙂
Thanks so much! I have what must be the same Jesus tree pack as you, but lost the Bible verse sheet, so this blog has been really helpful. I appreciate the coloring sheets, too.
Your welcome Amy! I was hoping that it would be helpful to someone. My children love to color, so I am always trying to incorporate it into our projects. I hope to have week 3 up soon… It’s been pretty busy lately 🙂
Great blog! May God inspire you more to think of other activities for kids!
I got to view your site a week before Holy Week that’s why I wasn’t able to do the crafts and share it to others. But next year, I will try to! Anyways, I saw another Lenten Calendar I just forgot the site. I printed it out and even nus adults can do it! It deals with doing a good deed for a day, like for example the good deed assigned fro Holy Monday is to give up watching TV. I’ll try to search the web again so I could share it with you, just keep posted i my blog! Thanks! God bless!
Thank you so much for the inspiration and idea. I am a religious Sister and teach first grade in an inner city school. I was looking for something special to do with these little ones and the Jesus Tree is perfect. God bless you! Sr. Mary Elizabeth