Dr. Marcus Hoag and his extended family put to rest his dead wife Chrissie high up on a windy hillside of the Yorkshire fishing town of Whitby. As the family mourn their loss the fascinating story of The Jesse Tree begins to unwind and takes Marcus to a place he never thought he would reach. The future

Taking her inspiration from the medieval tradition of carving Jesse Trees - a method used to explain the genealogy of Jesus - McCaughrean uses all her skill as a storyteller to weave together evocative retellings of Bible stories with a contemporary tale about the creation of a modern-day Jesse Tree and the transforming power of friendship and love. First published as a picture book, The Jesse Tree has received much critical acclaim.

LET YOUR TREE TELL THE STORY Bring Christ back to Christmas by giving your children a devotional experience that adorns your tree with Christian symbols. * The Advent Jesse Tree DEVOTIONS This book offers 25 devotions for each day from December 1st to December 25th, Christmas Day... the day Christians celebrate that God's purpose wass finally revealed in the coming of the savior, Jesus Christ. Each devotion traces the heritage of Jesus through the stories and prophecies of the Old Testament. The Advent Jesse Tree enables individuals and families to engage in a more meaningful celebration of the Christmas season. These daily Advent devotions are written in two versions (one for children and one version for adults) including a scripture, a story & commentary, questions to ask, a prayer, and a song. * The Advent Jesse Tree ORNAMENT CRAFTS Each devotional story is paired with a representative symbol that traces the heritage of Jesus…such as a lamb, a dove, a rainbow, a heart, a star, etc. Children and their parents can utilize the symbolic line art printed with each daily devotion to craft meaningful ornaments. These symbols coincide with the prayers, a memory verses, questions for children, and songs found in the devotions for that day. Finally, on Christmas day, your tree will be filled with reminders of 25 Bible stories that led up to Christ’s birth.

Reflections on those people who might only be mentioned once in the Bible, but who are nonetheless brances of the Jesse Tree.

Presents one bible story for every Sunday of the year, which is paired with an activity suitable for small children which reinforces the moral or lesson appearing in each story.

Offers a rich array of creative all-age material designed to bring to life the Common Worship liturgy for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

"This is an illustrated book full of wonderful activities for children and families to help them better understand and celebrate the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons. Family activities include making an advent wreath, a Jesse Tree with all its symbols, cloth Nativity figures, words for singing 21 Advent and Christmas songs, recipes for special cakes and breads and more. Also included are stories of special saints for the season with activities and prayers" -- Back cover.

What a delightful and informative way for children and their families to learn about Advent and Lent, the two of the Churchs most celebrated and significant liturgical seasons! Doris Murphy offers thirteen creative centers for learning about Advent, twelve for Lent, five for Holy Week, and eight seasonal centers for everyone in the parish. For Advent her topics include The Jesse Tree, the O Antiphons, and The Church Year. For Lent, her topics include The Cross, Making Choices, and Lenten Practices. For Holy Week, she offers Symbols of Lent, The Last Supper, Stations of the Cross, Christ the Light, and Easter. All of these learning centers offer children and their families the opportunity to experience the Church seasons in a unique, inviting, and fun learning environment.