Our family really enjoyed the Jesse “Tea” we had last year, so we decided to do it again this year! Since this year it was just days after Thanksgiving and our road trip to visit my Husband’s parents, we weren’t able to have it on the first Sunday of Advent, but the following week was just as enjoyable! It really could be done anytime during Advent, or you could even serve a little something to go along with your Jesse Tree Ornaments and Readings each day of Advent! Here are some pictures from this years “Tea.”
Since our children are now very familiar with all the Old Testament stories, we all sat around the table and, as we got to each menu item, they took turns telling everyone the story it symbolized. I always love listening to the stories in their own words…
Here is what was included in our menu this year:
~ The Jesse “Tea” ~
A couple of us had tea and the rest opted for “Adam’s Sparkling Apple Cider.”
(We also decorated the table with the pretty Beeswax candles the girls made in Little Flowers.)
~ Adam’s Apple ~
This year we had little bags of Sliced Apples with a gummi worm serpent!
“And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat.” Gen. 3: 6
~ Noah’s Ark ~
This year I adapted this darling idea from Kaboose.
I decided the first one was too big, so modified the snack ark to the smaller version below:
“And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth. And when I shall cover the sky with clouds, my bow shall appear in the clouds: And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh.And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant, that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth. And God said to Noe: This shall be the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh upon the earth. ” Gen. 9: 12-17
~ Abraham’s Stars ~
This year I made our own Chocolate Stars, one for each person, using a Wilton Candy Mold and White Chocolate Melts!
“And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars, if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.” Gen. 15: 5
~ Isaac’s Bundle of Sticks ~
This year I used red string licorice instead of string cheese to tie our little bundles of 8 pretzel sticks together. It seemed to work a little better.
“And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword.” Gen. 22: 6
~ Jacob’s Ladder ~
Using the Isaac’s Bundle of Sticks, each person makes their own ladder.
(This photo is from last year.)
“And he saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven: the angels also of God ascending and descending by it.” Gen. 28: 12
~ Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors ~
Once again, these were very fun, and easy to make, following Alice’s directions.
“Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had him in his old age: and he made him a coat of divers colours. And his brethren seeing that he was loved by his father, more than all his sons, hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.” Gen. 37: 3-4
~ The Burning Bush ~
This year we dipped our Broccoli Florets dipped in Bowls of Tomato Basil Soup, since I wanted to add a few more healthy main items this year. (It doesn’t look like I got a picture of the soup though!)
“And the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he saw that the bush was on fire and was not burnt. And Moses said: I will go and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” Exodus 3: 2-3
~ Moses’ Tablets of the Law ~
I bought Milano cookies, as recommended by Alice, but added Roman Numerals I-X with chocolate icing. I love how they turned out!
“And after this he said: Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the former, and I will write upon them the words which were in the tables, which thou brokest.” Exodus 34: 1
~ Jonah and the Whale ~
I wasn’t able to find the Whale Crackers this year, so our “Whales” were fish! 🙂
“Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonas: and Jonas was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. ” Jonah 2: 1-2
~ The Root of Jesse ~
Baby Carrots since they are a “Root” Vegetable
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.” and “In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11: 1 and 10
~ David’s Star Tea Sandwiches ~
I just used two different sized Star Cookie Cutters to cut one star out of bread and a slightly smaller star out of cheese.
1 Samuel 17: 12-51
~ Bethlehem, House of Bread ~
A Plate of Rolls to go along with our soup! Next year I think I might actually serve Bread Bowls filled with soup!
“But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel” Matthew 2: 5-6
~ John the Baptist’s Honey ~
Last year I ordered a box of Honey Stix
from Amazon for about $14.00, not realizing I would be receiving 384 of them (instead of 48)! I think I am going to have Honey Sticks until my children are grown!
from Amazon for about $14.00, not realizing I would be receiving 384 of them (instead of 48)! I think I am going to have Honey Sticks until my children are grown! 
I also served shell shaped butter with the rolls.
“And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb.” Luke 1: 41
“For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Matthew 3: 3
“For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Matthew 3: 3
~ Angelic Messengers ~
Eliminating another candy from last years menu, I decided to try Lacy’s Angel Snack, using Kix instead of Oyster Crackers, since I already had them in the cupboard. My children loved these!
“And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ” Luke 1:26-28
~ Flowers of Jesse ~
This year I used a White Cheesecake that we ended up saving from Thanksgiving and topped it with a few Roses.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. ” Isaiah 11:1-3
Be sure to visit Cottage Blessings for more ideas, recipes and her shopping list!
I love it! You did a great job.
God Bless!
Grace
You did a wondeful job! We had a smaller tea this year. I just could not swing everything with our new little one.
Blessings,
Pamela
this is just so awesome! Love this idea, Jessica. I know my kids would love it, too, seeing as how much they enjoyed the Garden of the Good Shepherd parties.
I'm adding this to my growing list of activities for next year. Thank you!
This is amazing every year…….you outdid yourself again……..it's just so lovely. How lucky that family of yours is to have such a great experience and so many meaningful memories.
God be praised! Jessica, you are an artist at bringing God's word to life for children. What a delightful teacher you are!!!! Singing joyfully to our Lord for all that gives Him glory. Singing 2 refrains in honor of you:o) Thanks for all of your inspiration.
You always have the most lovely presentation on your table! The tea looks wonderful!
THIS IS AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!
I am truly inspired. I will be doing this with my 6 kids next year!
This looks awesome! I don't know how you do it all, Jessica! I wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas! 🙂
Spectacular! I love this idea. I appreciate all the pictures. It makes it seem more doable to me when I can see how it actually looked all pulled together. Thank you so much for sharing!
What a fabulous idea! I love it! Thank you for sharing!
Love all the neat ideas!! Thanks