Can you believe that Advent begins in just 20 days?!? This weekend I spent some time trying to check the first couple things off of my list, including finding a set of Advent Pillar candles (the ones I have purchased these past few years aren’t available this year) and deciding on a “Nativity Stocking” for our newest little guy (our boys all have nativity themed stockings and the girls have angel themed stockings), who might just decide to arrive in time for Christmas this year.
Anyhow, those of you that have been visiting here for any length of time know just how much I love all of our family traditions for Advent and Christmas. One of our favorites, ever since our oldest children were just toddlers, has always been the Jesse Tree. I made our Jesse Tree and Ornaments out of felt, and even though it was a ton of work that first year, we have re-used it every year since.
This year I am so excited to add a new ornament set to our collection! I was recently asked to review this beautiful wooden set of Jesse Tree Ornaments, along with a set of gorgeous O Antiphon Ornaments, made by Jesse Tree Treasures. I couldn’t be more happy to recommend them to you all and am so excited to have these extra sets to use with my own children this year!
As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes, “Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays.” That means that the First Sunday of Advent can fall as early as November 27 or as late as December 3, resulting in a maximum of 28 days leading up to Christmas Eve. The Jesse Tree set comes with 28 beautiful wooden ornaments, giving you enough symbols for every day of Advent, not just the 24 days of December!
In addition to the beautifully decoupaged ornaments, the set also includes beautiful gold cards with all of the scripture references.
Instead of the actual bible verses, we usually read the corresponding bible stories (I’m working on this year’s list) from the New Catholic Picture Bible, which works out nicely for our family. This year I plan on having my older children read the bible story each day to the little ones… For some reason reading aloud is so hard for me during my last trimester! 😉
“Each ornament measures 2-3/8″ in diameter and 1/4″ deep. Ivory yarn for stringing is included. The ornaments come in a white gift box and include a card with scripture references and a devotion for each day. They are made with Jo Sonja’s paints which was carefully selected to be safe and lead-free.”
Another one of our favorite traditions is celebrating the O Antiphons! Every year I come up with some sort of treat for each day (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) and a couple years ago we also made an O Antiphon House. These Gold O Antiphon Ornaments from Jesse Tree Treasures will make such a lovely addition to these special days leading up to Christmas:
“These stunning wooden ornaments reflect the light of Christ coming in the darkest part of winter as an infant in a manger. They are handpainted a beautiful gold which is the “O” in the antiphon. Then lovingly decoupaged with a beautiful handpainted image that reflects the meaning of each antiphon. These ornaments are made with Jo Sonja’s paints which are made from the finest quality pure pigments, the colors will remain vibrant and true for generations. The paint was carefully selected to be safe and lead-free. Each set of seven ornaments also comes with a devotional booklet. The antiphons correspond to a verse from the traditional hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. These verses are included in the devotional, as well as the corresponding scripture and a short devotion.“
Note: Currently a limited number of sets are listed as available over at Etsy, but Angie let me know that she will make as many as needed. So, if it says that a set is sold, just send her a note and she will be sure to make you a set. Thank you Angie!!
Thank you so much for sharing, I've been looking for a really nice Jesse Tree Set to start with my little girls and am so excited order this and begin the season!!
Those are beautiful! I've been wanting to make a set for years now and never had the time. This looks like the perfect alternative. Thank you!
You have done it again:) So perfect I love it. I just placed our order. FYI I only 5 left to sell right away.
Jessica, How will you be putting these up in you home? I still want to use my felt set we made. I'm thinking of putting up both sets now. Trying to figure out if we should use a little prelight tree for these, with a Nativity set next to it. Any thoughts?
I think you will be so happy with these sets! They truly are beautiful!!
Pamela ~ That is exactly what I was thinking… We will still use our felt set, along with all of our Advent Calendars, but I like to have something for each child to add/open each day of Advent, so this is the perfect addition. I think a little pre-lit tree would be lovely! We have a few that we put in our children's bedrooms just before Christmas, and I will either use one of those or find one specifically for this set and the O Antiphon ornaments.
Jessica, did you find Advent Pillar Candles? I haven't started looking yet this year but I love the look of the pillars!
I have the O! Antiphon ornaments, and they are beautiful!! I can't wait to use them with my family this Advent. The Jesse Tree ornaments are equally lovely and are on my wish list for next year =)
Angie, one of the creators of Jesse Tree Treasures, is a dear IRL friend of mine! It was such a treat to see her little business mentioned here!
Beautiful!!!
I vote for the Kurt Adler stocking…it's beautiful.
Shalon ~ I am working on a post with the various options I found. I'll try and post it tonight or tomorrow. I, too, LOVE pillar candles for Advent. 🙂
Aimee ~ I liked the other stocking, but my husband said it was too girly for a boy (I'd have to agree) and preferred the Kurt Adler Stocking. lol! Needless to say, this little guy will be getting the Kurt Adler stocking! 🙂
Sarah ~ That is so neat! Angie has inspired me a number of times!! She is the same person that sent me the idea to laminate our St. Therese paper dolls! 🙂
Thanks for this review, Jessica. I'm checking it all out now.
We purchased the Holy Week Easter ornaments last spring. They are BEAUTIFUL! My children all loved hanging them on the tree each day and on Easter morning they had all been turned around. Highly recommend!
I was just looking at this set on Etsy last night after seeing it mentioned on the 4Real Forum— I think I just may need to purchase them!
I have been searching for 2 years for the perfect set and almost opted to order a felt set but these are fantastic! The O' Antiphons are perfect too..was having trouble finding a wooden house to do the blocks! Your Blog has been soooo instrumental in helping me deepen my faith, as a convert to the Church! Thank you so much Jessica! Continued Blessings to you and your family! Susan McQuillen
I would like a set of the O Antiphons ornaments, and I am not worried about not getting them in time. Can I still order them? I have never seen these and wanted some way to celebrate the O Antiphons. I love these.