Jesse Tree
Traditionally the creation of a Jesse Tree is an Advent preparation for
Christmas. Throughout Advent symbols of Christ's ancestors (either
in faith or family line) are added to the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree
is named after Jesse, the father of David, based on Isaiah 11:1, "There shall
come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse."
The "tree" can be a small fir tree, a bare branch (the shoot of Jesse)
anchored in a bucket of rocks, or a paper/fabric tree to hang on the wall.
Ornaments can be made from paper (colored and cut or folded into origami
shapes), fabric, pipe cleaners, Christmas cards, or anything else you can
find.
The ornaments are added as a countdown to Christmas. One ornament
is added each day beginning on the first day of Advent or first day of December
or whichever day you select. The ornaments are generally added starting
from the oldest ancestor ending with placing Jesus on the tree on Christmas
day. The Jesse ornament is usually placed at the base of the tree.
If you are using a wall hanging you can place ancestors before Jesse on the
roots of the tree (if no roots, just hang from the branches). Many
families add the bible verse related to the daily ornament to their dinner
prayer.
The Jesse Tree form can be modified for each family's Christmas preparations.
Some families add events (creation, fall of man, the flood, etc.).
Some families create a "Christmas tree" with manger firgure added throughout
Advent with Jesus being added on Christmas. Others include symbols for
some of the Advent Feast Days (Dec 6, St. Nicholas - a cardinal's miter; Dec
8, Immaculate Conception - a lily showing Mary's purity; Dec 12, Our Lady
of Guadalupe - a rose; Dec 13, St. Lucy - girl with wreath of candles in
hair). Still others feature a "Saint Tree" with the major ancestors
of Jesus, but also including family saints.
Here are examples of Jesse Trees (click the photo to enlarge):
For other examples, go
here
Return to
index page
