Ethan Walker
The Jesse Tree is a Catholic tradition that introduces Jesus' ancestors and the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is a type of Advent calendar that starts on December 1st with Creation and ends on December 25th with the birth of Jesus. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1: But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The tree can be made from various materials such as artificial trees, tree branches, cardboard, or felt, and is decorated with ornaments that represent Bible stories and symbols. These ornaments can be made from a variety of craft supplies, such as paper, cloth, wood, plastic, and more. The process of making a Jesse Tree involves reading Scripture verses, creating symbols or ornaments, and hanging them on the tree while learning about the stories of Jesus' ancestors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To introduce Jesus' ancestors and the stories of the Bible that lead to his birth |
| Materials | Bible, paper, cardboard, glue, ribbon or yarn, crayons, markers, paints, coloured pencils, glitter, pipe cleaners, self-hardening clay, coloured felt, tissue paper, craft sticks, etc. |
| Tree | Small artificial tree, tree branch, large drawing of a tree, or other creative alternatives |
| Ornaments | Homemade ornaments depicting symbols of Jesus' ancestors and Old Testament events leading to Christ |
| Scripture | Read Scripture verses and write them on the ornaments |
| Timing | Starts on December 1st with Creation and ends on December 25th with the birth of Jesus |
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What You'll Learn
The Jesse Tree's meaning and history
The Jesse Tree is a devotional tradition that introduces Jesus' ancestors and connects the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to his birth. The name and concept are derived from Isaiah 11:1: "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom." Jesse was the father of King David, and the tree is a pictorial genealogy of Christ, with Jesse often depicted reclining at the base of the tree with a stem or vine rising out of his side.
The earliest known depiction of the Tree of Jesse in Christian art is a nearly thousand-year-old illustrated manuscript of the Gospels from Bohemia, dating back to 1086. Over time, variations of this motif appeared in stained glass, wood carvings, stone friezes, mosaics, paintings, floor tiles, funerary monuments, embroidery, sacred poetry, and music. In the Medieval period, noble families adopted this artistic tradition to illustrate their lineage as branches of a tree, and the practice eventually spread to common usage.
The Jesse Tree custom involves placing ornaments on a tree or the figure of a tree during Advent, with each ornament representing a biblical ancestor of Jesus. The ornaments can be homemade and crafted from various materials such as clay, cardboard, paper, cloth, wood, or pipe cleaners. Each ornament is often accompanied by a Scripture reading and a prayer, making it an interactive and educational tradition for families and classrooms. The symbols on the ornaments depict either the ancestors of Jesus or Old Testament events leading to Christ.
The Jesse Tree is a way to visually represent the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament. It serves as a reminder that many people lived and waited for the birth of Jesus, just as we wait for his birthday during Advent. This tradition is a meaningful way to countdown to Christmas, starting on December 1st with Creation and ending with the birth of Jesus on December 25th.
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How to make the tree
The Jesse Tree is a special Advent tradition that introduces Jesus' ancestors, with a focus on the true meaning of the season. It is a great way to teach children about the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1: "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots, a bud shall blossom". Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus is descended from the line of David.
To make your own Jesse Tree, you can use a small artificial tree, a tree branch anchored in a bucket or large can of sand or gravel, or a large drawing of a tree on cardboard or poster board that can be hung on the wall. If you want to skip having a tree, you can make DIY printable Jesse Tree blocks instead.
The ornaments for the tree can be homemade, with various family members contributing. They can be made of coloured felt, tissue paper, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, self-hardening clay, coloured tag board, glitter, paper punch, glue, markers, scissors, cardboard, yarn, and more. You can also use pictures from magazines or old greeting cards, or draw pictures or symbols yourself. Each ornament should represent a story from the Bible, with a focus on Jesus' ancestors or Old Testament events leading to Christ.
To make an ornament, first, read the Scripture verses for the day. Pick out one or two short verses that give the main idea and copy these onto the back of the ornament. Then, illustrate the Scripture verses using your chosen materials.
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How to make the ornaments
The Jesse Tree is a special Advent tradition that helps to build joy and anticipation as you wait for Christmas. It is a great way to teach children about the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament. The ornaments for the Jesse Tree can be made in a variety of ways and with various materials. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating your own unique ornaments:
Choosing the Materials
The ornaments for the Jesse Tree can be made from a variety of materials that are easily accessible. Some common materials include:
- Paper or cardboard: You can use coloured paper, cardboard stock, or even recycled magazine pages and greeting cards.
- Fabric: Scraps of fabric can be used to create ornaments with different colours and textures.
- Clay or playdough: These materials can be moulded into shapes or symbols and allowed to harden.
- Wood: You can draw or paint directly onto small wooden pieces.
- Other craft supplies: Pipe cleaners, tissue paper, craft sticks, glitter, markers, scissors, and glue can also be used to create unique ornaments.
Selecting the Symbols
Each ornament on the Jesse Tree represents a story or person from the Bible, specifically focusing on the ancestors of Jesus. Here are some ideas for selecting the symbols for your ornaments:
- Choose a Bible verse for the day: Start by reading the Scripture verses suggested for each day of Advent. Pick out a short verse or passage that captures the main idea.
- Identify key symbols: Look for symbols mentioned in the verse or story, such as a sun, moon, stars, animals, a tree, or a serpent.
- Represent biblical figures: Each ornament can also represent a specific person from the Bible, such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, or David.
Creating the Ornaments
Once you have chosen your materials and selected the symbols or themes for each ornament, it's time to get creative! Here are some tips for assembling your ornaments:
- Drawing and colouring: Use crayons, coloured pencils, markers, or paint to illustrate your chosen symbols or scenes on paper or cardboard.
- Collage: Create a collage by cutting and pasting pictures or colourful pieces of paper, fabric, or other materials onto a backing.
- Modelling: Shape clay or playdough into three-dimensional symbols or figures. Allow them to air dry or bake them to harden.
- Printing: If you prefer a simpler approach, you can find printable ornaments online that you can download, print, and cut out.
Adding the Final Touches
To finish your ornaments, consider adding some extra touches:
- Ribbons or yarn: Attach ribbons or yarn to your ornaments so they can be hung on the tree. Preferably use purple ribbon or yarn, which is often associated with Advent.
- Glitter: Add some sparkle to your ornaments with glitter glue or loose glitter.
- Personalisation: Encourage family members to personalise their ornaments with their names or a special message on the back.
Remember, there is no single right way to make Jesse Tree ornaments. Get creative, involve the whole family, and enjoy this special Advent tradition!
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The Bible stories and symbols
The Jesse Tree is a special Advent tradition that focuses on the true meaning of the season, introducing Jesus' ancestors and the plan of redemption from creation through salvation. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, which says, "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots, a bud shall blossom." Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus is descended from this line.
The symbols on the Jesse Tree represent Bible stories and the people in Jesus' family tree. Each day in December, a symbol is hung on the tree, and the corresponding story is read. The symbols and stories might include:
- Creation: Sun, moon, stars, animals, and earth. The story of Creation is found in Genesis 1:1-31 and 2:1-4.
- Adam and Eve: A tree, a man, and a woman. The story is found in Genesis 2:7-9, 18-24.
- The Fall of Man: A tree, a serpent, and an apple with a bite. Genesis 3:1-7 and 23-24 are the relevant verses.
- Noah: A rainbow, a dove, or an ark could be symbols. The story is found in Genesis 5-9.
- Abraham and Sarah: A star, a ram, or a camel could symbolise this story, found in Genesis 12, 15, 17, 21, and 22.
- Jacob: A ladder, an angel, or a sheep could represent Jacob, who was also called Israel, as told in Genesis 25, 28, 32, and 35.
- Joseph: A multi-coloured coat, a pit, or a stack of wheat symbolise Joseph, whose story is told in Genesis 37, 39, and 41-50.
- Moses: A basket, a burning bush, or the tablets with the Ten Commandments are possible symbols. The story is found in Exodus 2-15 and Deuteronomy 5.
- Ruth: A sheaf of barley or a piece of bread could represent Ruth, whose story is found in the book of Ruth.
- Samuel: A lamp or a small boy could symbolise Samuel, whose story is found in 1 Samuel.
- David: A sling, a stone, or a harp could represent David, who was a musician as well as a king. His story is found in 1 Samuel and 1 Kings.
- Elijah: A raven, a jar, or a chariot of fire could be symbols for Elijah, whose story is found in 1 Kings 17-22 and 2 Kings 2.
- Daniel: A lion or a stone tablet could symbolise Daniel, whose story is found in Daniel 1-6 and 14.
- Jonah: A large fish or a gourd vine could represent Jonah, whose story is found in the book of Jonah.
- Elizabeth and Zechariah: Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, was the mother of John the Baptist, and their story is found in Luke 1.
- Joseph and Mary: A lily, an angel, or a carpenter's tools could be symbols for Joseph and Mary, whose story is found in Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2.
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How to incorporate it into Advent
The Jesse Tree is a special Advent tradition that introduces Jesus' ancestors and the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is a great way to teach children about the significance of the season and can be incorporated into Advent in several ways.
Firstly, the tree itself can be a part of Advent decorations. Families can create a tree to display at home, or a large tree can be made and brought into the church as part of the Advent festivities. The tree can be artificial, made from felt or sticks, or even a branch from the yard, painted white and sprinkled with silver glitter.
Secondly, the ornaments or symbols that adorn the tree are central to the tradition. Each ornament represents a story from Jesus' family tree and a step towards his birth. These can be crafted by family members using various materials such as clay, cardboard, felt, or paper. Each day during Advent, a new ornament is hung on the tree, accompanied by reading a related Bible story and saying a prayer. The symbols and stories can include Creation, Noah, Adam and Eve, the Fall of Man, and many more.
Thirdly, the Jesse Tree tradition can be incorporated into Advent through daily devotions. These devotions are designed for adults or teenagers to read during Advent and are available in print or online. They invite participants into the story of Jesus' family tree and show how God prepared for his birth over many generations.
Finally, songs and hymns can be included in the Jesse Tree tradition. Children can sing familiar hymns while hanging the ornaments, making the experience more engaging and enjoyable.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jesse Tree is a decorative tree used during Advent to retell the stories of the Bible that lead to Jesus' birth. It is a special Advent countdown calendar that focuses on the true meaning of the season.
You will need a tree, which can be artificial or a branch anchored in a bucket. You will also need ornaments, preferably homemade, and a Bible. Other materials include glue, ribbon, yarn, crayons, markers, paints, coloured pencils, paper, cardboard, glitter, pipe cleaners, self-hardening clay, coloured felt, tissue paper, craft sticks, etc.
The symbols on the Jesse Tree represent the stories from within Jesus' family tree and the steps toward his birth. For example, the symbol for Creation is the sun, moon, stars, animals, and earth.
First, read the Scripture verses for the day and pick out the main idea. Copy these verses onto the back of the ornament. Then, illustrate the Scripture verses using pictures, drawings, or symbols. Colour them with crayons, pencils, markers, or paint.
The Jesse Tree helps to build joy and anticipation during the season of Advent, as we wait for Christmas. It also teaches children about the plan of redemption from creation through salvation, tying the Old Testament to the New Testament.
