Product Overview
Jesus may have been born to an obscure young couple in a backwater town, but his family tree told a greater story.
Jesus was born into the rich legacy and sacred history of the Jewish people, with lineage said to go back to King David and rooted in the whole history of the Hebrew Bible. This Advent, find out how this little baby we worship became the savior that he was and discover your place with Jesus in the big story of God and God’s people.
Inspired by the centuries-old Jesse Tree tradition, pastor Kara Eidson presents forty Scriptures from across the Bible to explore how Jesus, his family, and followers were shaped by all that had come before him—the epic story of God and God’s people—and how we, too, are part of God’s story as followers of Christ today. Enhanced by daily illustrations symbolizing each Scripture, this Advent study and devotional guides readers from ancient stories and prophecies to the manger and beyond to deepen faith and grow in appreciation of Jesus as Messiah.
Daily readings for Advent through Epiphany are organized into weekly themes for congregational use. Family devotions and worship resources make The Advent Tree useful in settings from home to classroom to pulpit, while downloadable versions of the daily illustrations offer a creative outlet for contemplative coloring or decorating a tree.
Visit www.wjkbooks.com/AdventTree to access free digital resources, which include group study session introduction videos from the author; worship resources that include liturgies, sermon suggestions, children’s sermon scripts, prayers, and more; images that enrich worship or group study; and coloring sheets of the images used in the book.
Watch the Group Study Introduction from Author Kara Eidson
Reviews
"With a fresh take on the Jesse Tree tradition, this devotional brings sacred storytelling into homes and churches in ways both accessible and profound. As a pastor and parent, I appreciate Kara’s intergenerational approach—offering daily reflections, creative symbols, and thoughtful resources that will engage children and adults alike. Her writing is steeped in hope, grounded in biblical wisdom, and stirs the kind of holy anticipation our weary world needs. The Advent Tree is the perfect companion for anyone longing to slow down, look back, and move forward with wonder." – Rachel Billups, pastor and author of An Unlikely Advent and Be Bold
"The Advent Tree is more than a devotional—it’s a journey through the sacred story that roots us, reorients us, and invites us into God’s unfolding promise. With theological depth and pastoral warmth, Kara Eidson leads us from stump to shoot, tracing the threads of hope through every twist and turn of Scripture. This resource holds space for both individual reflection and communal wonder, making it a powerful companion for anyone seeking to meet Jesus anew in the waiting. It’s not just for the season of Advent—it’s for every season of yearning." – Matt Rawle, pastor and author of The Final Days and Faith over Fear
"Kara Eidson reminds us that as we make our way to the manger, we ought to lean in and listen. There, among the stars and the shepherds, we will hear the voices of our spiritual ancestry, joining us in celebrating the fulfilment of a story generations in the making. To truly commemorate Christmas means to remember all that led to the coming of Christ. This book shows us how!" – Magrey deVega, pastor and author of Songs for the Journey, Almost Christmas, and The Christmas Letters