The Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is a unique Advent tree that can be very useful for teaching children about the Bible at Christmas, and a fun activity, too! The Jesse Tree represents the family tree, or genealogy of Jesus Christ. It tells the story of God's salvation plan, beginning with creation and continuing through the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit."
The Jesse Tree

What it is, what it means, and how to make one.

Origin
The Jesse tree represents Jesus' family tree. The name is taken from Isaiah 11:1, in which Jesus is referred to as a shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, the father of David.
The ornaments on the Jesse tree tell of Jesus' ancestors, and of the events leading to Jesus' birth.
Symbols

Adam and Eve

Apple (Genesis 2:4-3:24)

Noah

Ark or rainbow (Genesis 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17)

Abraham

Knife (Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6)

Isaac

Ram (Genesis 22:1-19) Jacob

Ladder (Genesis 27:41-

28:22)

Joseph

Colorful coat (Genesis 37, 39:1-50:21)

Moses

Tablets of the law (Exodus 2:1-4:20)

David

Harp (1 Samuel 16:17-23)

Isaiah
Lion and lamb (Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7) Mary

Lily (Luke 1:26-38)

Elizabeth

Small home (Luke 1:39-55)

Joseph

Hammer or saw (Matthew 1:18-25)

Roots are important parts of a tree. As people, we need to know our roots, as well. Often, we run from one thing to another without reflecting on where we've been or where we are going. As we create a Jesse tree during this Advent season, let us pause and look at our lives to see on whose shoulders we stand.
Activity
Make a Jesse tree for your home. First, take a large, bare branch and secure it in a pot of sand or rocks. (You can also use a large potted plant or evergreen.) Create ornaments that trace Jesus' royal line by making symbols for some of the people found in the Hebrew testament. Make the ornaments out of cardboard or construction paper and decorate as you like.
Instead of hanging all the ornaments on the tree at one time, you may want to hang one on every other day of Advent. Read the Scripture citation given here as you hang each ornament on the tree.