Lent: The Jesus Tree


These cards are used in the same way as a Jesse Tree during Advent, but reflecting on the parallels in scriptures about Jesus for Lent. The verses are listed below. If you would like to have cards with colorful images to show your children or hang up in your home, they are available in my Etsy Shop's Lent Journey for Families digital file.
image Jesus Dies Earthquake
I’ve seen a few blog posts about having a Jesus Tree for Lent that is similar to the Jesse Tree of Advent. It uses a tree with bare branches, made out of twigs, felt, paper, or a wall decal like we have for Our Forever TreeI decided to make some paper ornaments I (and others like you) could print out and cut to hang on our Jesus Tree. Each image has the Bible verses underneath, and you can laminate them to use year after year. I printed these and hung them on the tree all at once, so the kids can see the images longer. I will take one down each day when it’s time to read the scripture. Hang up one each day (except Sundays) from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

YOU CAN FIND THIS FILE along with a large pack of Lent Activities for the family in my shop:


1. Even Now Joel 2:12-13
2. Original Sin Genesis 3:1-20
3. Cain and Abel Genesis 4:1-12
4. Noah's Ark Genesis 6:5-13, 9:8-11
5. Abraham and Isaac Genesis 22:1-18
6. Jesus Freed Us of Slavery john 8:31-40
7. Moses & the 10 Commandments Exodus 20:1-21
8. Covenant with Abraham and Moses Jeremiah 31:31-33
9. A New Covenant Luke 22:15-20
10. 2 Great Commandments Matthew 22:34-40
11. 40 Years in the Desert Numbers 14:2-4, 10-12, 17-19, 33-34
12. 40 Days in the Desert  Luke 4:1-13
13. The Day of the Lord Joel 2:10-16
14. Jonah and the Whale  Jonah 1:1, 4:11
15. Whom shall I send? Isaiah 6:8-10
16. Trust and Rescue  Psalm 22
17. Prophetic Role of Jeremiah  Jeremiah 1:4-8, 3:12-15
18. Story of Elijah  2 Kings 2:9-12
19. Story of Elisha  2 Kings 4:38-44
20. Loaves and Fishes  Mark:6:34-44
21. The Anointed One  Daniel 9:15-24
22. Anointing of David  1 Samuel 16:1-13
23. Anointing at Bethany  Matthew 26:6-13
24. John the Baptist  Luke 1:13-17, 80
25. Prophecy of New Order  Micah 4:1-7
26. Fulfillment of all Prophecies  Luke 24:44-48
27. Transfiguration  Luke 9:28-36
28. Entrance into Jerusalem  Matthew 21:1-9
29. Enduring Trials  Psalms 69:6-25
30. Destroys Market in the Temple  John 2:13-25
31. Judas' Betrayal  Matthew 26:14-25
32. The Innocent Victim  Isaiah 53:1-12
33. The Last Supper  Luke 22:14-20
34. Agony in the Garden  Matthew 26:36-46
35. Denial of Jesus  Mark 14:29-31, 66-72
36. Crown of Thorns  Matthew 27:27-31
37. Scourging at the Pillar  Mark 15:1-20, Isaiah 53:5
38. The Two Thieves  Luke 23:32-43
39. On the Cross  Matthew 27:32-44
40. Death of Jesus  Matthew 27:45-54



Free Jesus Tree Ornaments – black and white to color, good for older kids.
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Alternate uses include flashcards or a Lenten Path as seen below.

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Dining room table draped with white cloth. Cut Jesus Tree ornaments and staggered in a path around the table. Added colored popsicle sticks for crosses, one red cross near the images that are about The Passion of Jesus. Then covered it with clear vinyl (found at fabric store). This would also make a great idea for a table rosary, using pictures of the mysteries in the shape of a rosary!

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I had this idea to add cutouts of the kids that I would move to each spot each day of Lent. Ended up cutting out all four kids, which looked too cute to separate! So they mark the beginning of the Lenten Journey, with other special stops along the way.
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10 comments:

  1. From my mother's friend:
    Thank you so much for thinking of our [homeschool] group. I just went to Melissa's blog page and was so impressed! You have a talented daughter whom you must be very proud. I will do the Jesus tree with the kids this Lent, and I'm sure it will help us with our Lenten journey.

    Blessings to you and your family,
    Mary

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  2. Wow...nicely done! Great printables!

    I created my own version of the Jesus Tree, converting images into little stamps for a path of stepping stones...
    maybe you could come and see!
    Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families

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  3. Your Jesus Tree turned out great, Melissa. Thanks for sharing the printables. I've had a number of emails asking if I knew of a printable version, and I will send them your way.

    I hope you have a holy and fruitful Lent!

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  4. A quote from Shower of Roses recent blog post:

    Also, I have had a number of emails asking about printable versions of the Jesus Tree. It looks like this year Melissa at St. Brigid's Academy has come up with a lovely wall version with printable ornaments. I particularly like her Black & White Ornaments which can be colored! Another option would be the Stepping Stones through Jesus' Life that Monica at Equipping Catholic Families created for her family.

    http://showerofroses.blogspot.com/2011/03/jesus-tree-daily-readings-and-coloring.html


    *Thanks for all the compliments and inspiration!!!

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  5. Thank you for sharing your Jesus Tree printables. I've used the black and white version and watercolored them for 2012. See pictures at http://auctusfides.blogspot.com/2012/02/lenten-plans.html

    Liane

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  6. ¡Gracias por compartir tan bellas actividades!

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  7. Are the printables in order? And please explain. Are you to do one a day "except" Sundays? From another mom in MN

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    1. Yes, they are in order, left to right then down like when you read a book. But really, I don't think it matters if they are out of order. You could number them on the back when you cut them out. And yes, every day except Sundays. Thanks for asking!

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  8. I love the tablecloth idea! I have limited wall space but it is a great way to make a Lenten path. Thank you for sharing the idea!

    Cheryl
    http://www.diary-of-a-sower.blogspot.com

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    1. Glad to hear someone doesn't think its too old fashioned to cover your table with plastic. I think it such a washload saving device and so versitile if you put just about any learning tool under it like flashcards or maps!

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I hope you were inspired! Please share what you liked, new ideas, etc - I would love to know what my readers are thinking!