Winter

McCaughrean, Geraldine, The Jesse Tree (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005).

As an old man carves a Jesse Tree, he retells familiar biblical tales to a curious young boy. A friendship develops between the two as the tree takes form. For preschool and up.

Milligan, Bryce, Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005).

Retells the story of one of Ireland’s most beloved saints. On the day she is born, Brigid receives a brilliant blue cloak from a mysterious priest. Years later, the young girl still wears the cloak while she tends her sheep. Is it her imagination that suddenly takes her to an unfamiliar land or something even more mysterious that leads Brigid to a crowded inn in a town called Bethlehem? For preschool and up.

Simms, Lynn M., and Betsy Walker, Jesse Tree Kit: An Advent Project for Family, Classroom, or Parish (Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1996).

This kit offers two options for making a Jesse Tree: option 1 provides instructions to create an actual tree and designs for do-it-yourself three-dimensional ornaments; option 2 provides a Jesse tree poster and pre-drawn ornaments to be coloured and attached. The kit also includes a short history of the Jesse tree, suggested scripture verses for each ornament, and a Jesse tree prayer service. For all ages.

Books for Leaders

Perry, Marilyn, Worship for All Ages: Services for Special Sundays (Wood Lake Books, 2005).

Includes Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services as well as worship options for several other special times throughout the church year. Available from UCRD.