Reviewing with The Jesus Tree ~

Yesterday I hung up our Jesus Tree.  In years past we have started this with the beginning of Lent.  That didn't happen this year.  So I had the idea of using it for  a Holy Week  "review!"  Buck, Honeybee and I discussed all of the symbols using the

New Catholic Picture Bible.  I told them the page number, they looked it up, and read aloud the title and the caption under the picture.  They then took turns hanging up the symbols through Palm Sunday.  Aside from hearing them in the daily Mass readings, a lot of these stories are fresh in their minds from watching Jesus of Nazareth our favorite Lenten family movie.

I hope you have a very blessed week!

Music to my ears!

Last night as we sat and listened to my honey read the Bible stories that went along with our Jesus Tree, Buck said words that were truly music to my ears.

"Dad, don't stop reading....I'm diggin' this!"

"Mom, I want you to start reading this with me tomorrow for my reading lesson....the whole thing!"

These words came from a boy who usually moans when I ask him to sit and read with me. 

We have already been reading these stories for history this year.  He wasn't near this enthusiastic about them earlier. No matter though, we had the best time reading together this morning.

This just goes to show that if we surround our children with good things they will be drawn to the beautiful.

 

(Note: I didn't push the Bible stories down his throat when I didn't have his interest.  I have always wanted my children to enjoy learning and to fall in love with God.  I can't make them do either....  But, I can gently encourage and guide them towards what is truly beautiful.  I do believe children learn so much more when they are interested in what they are studying.)

Ash Wednesday ~ 2011

We started off the day baking our

 Crown of Thorns

and pretzels.

Next we hung the backdrop for the Jesus Tree.

Honeybee got to add the first symbol that night during our family prayer time.

The kids started work on their special Lenten study materials which we keep in purple folders. On the cover of Buck and Honeybee's folders, they taped the sheet I enlarged from one of CHC's A Year With God activities. They get to put a sticker (a heart for Honeybee and a smiley face for Buck) on a thorn each night if they've done their best during the day to be obedient, kind, and helpful. By Easter they will have a beautiful wreath for Jesus. The folders also hold their calendars, stickers, and other papers.

~ Our Family Meal ~

(was based on serving the poor and also the temptations of Jesus while in the desert.)

Rice and Beans ~

 in the symbol of the cross of ashes. 

This reminded us to pray for the poor and those who go hungry

The first temptation ~

(to turn the stones to bread)

~ Chips and Salsa ~

Chips - representing the devils tempting Jesus to turn the stones to bread.

Salsa - reminding us of the blood that was shed for our salvation. 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4

The second temptation ~

  (to test God)

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

The third temptation ~

(power)

~Spinach~

Representing power and strength. (like Popeye:)

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Once we were done the kids and I headed out to Mass to receive our ashes.

Another Post on the Jesus Tree...

Hi everyone. Well I'm still trying to figure out why my PCs not reading my digital camera. So, until I do I won't be able to share the beautiful work the kids have been doing, :(

However, I am keeping busy with organizing our books and all that seems to fall into disarray during the holidays. I'm half way through with our progress reports and have ordered some new books/DVDs. I'm especially excited to have the DVD, St. John Bosco: Mission to Love on it's way. I'm hoping to have it by his feast day on Jan 31.

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be writing about the Jesus Tree. We received the box last week, only a couple of days after I ordered it! I'm dying to open it - BUT- I'm determined to finish up my reports and organizing first. Boy, self-discipline doesn't come easy! I'm sure once I open it, I'm not going to want to put it down. Especially since I have two big helpers who love this kind of thing.
Jessica has an awesome post on this with all the info you need if you want to try to get one before they sell out.

Today is my grandfather's eternal birthday. I pray he is resting at peace with our Lord. I miss you Pap-Paw.

Jesus Tree for Lent

I just ordered our Jesus Tree for Lent this year. We enjoyed our Jesse Tree so much this Advent. I can't wait for us to do this during lent. I ordered the materials through Scripture Trees (651-426-2174) if you're interested. The cost was $16.80 which included S&H. Thanks again Jessica for sharing this with us. You truly are an inspiration!