The Advent season is a time of preparation and anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. For Catholics, Advent is a season for deepening faith, reflecting on God’s promises, and growing in relationship with one another. This article offers an engaging Advent activity for Catholic kids and families: the Jesse Tree.
The Jesse Tree is a centuries-old tradition that helps Catholic kids and families journey through Advent through an exploration of the story of salvation history. The Jesse Tree helps make a connection between the Old Testament promises and the coming of Jesus Christ by combining symbols, Scripture, and prayer. The Jesse Tree tradition is not only fun and creative, but also a meaningful opportunity for Catholic families to reflect on God’s work throughout history and prepare for the coming of Christ, both at Christmas and at the second coming.
The Jesse Tree offers a visual representation of Jesus' family tree, tracing Christ’s lineage from Adam and Eve all the way to His birth. The name “Jesse Tree” comes from a passage in the Old Testament: “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom” (Isaiah 11:1). Jesse was the father of King David, and Jesus, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, was a descendant of David. The Jesse Tree, therefore, highlights the covenantal promises God made throughout salvation history, preparing the way for the birth of Jesus.
Each day of Advent, a new ornament or symbol can be added to the Jesse Tree. Each ornament or symbol represents a key figure or event in the story of salvation. These symbols and corresponding Scripture readings help Catholic families understand the ongoing story of God’s love and his unfolding plan for the world and his people.
These symbols and corresponding Scripture readings help Catholic families understand the ongoing story of God’s love and his unfolding plan for the world and his people.
A Jesse Tree can be created using a variety of materials and methods, depending on available resources and preferences. Follow these simple steps to set up a Jesse Tree in your home or classroom: Here’s how to set up a Jesse Tree in your home:
A small, real, or artificial tree or branch can serve as your Jesse Tree. Be sure that your tree or branch is secure and able to stand upright. Alternatively, you can use a paper or a felt tree with pockets to hang the ornaments. Finally, a printed picture of a tree to which you can secure ornaments will work for a Jesse Tree.
Each ornament will represent a specific person, event, or symbol from the Bible, representing an element of salvation history.
Celebrate the Advent season with the centuries-old Jesse Tree tradition. Download, print, and decorate a beautiful set of ornaments to use on your Jesse Tree at home or in school during the month of December leading up to Christmas.
Each day of Advent, gather as a class or family to read a short Scripture passage that corresponds to the ornament you will hang up that day. After reading the passage, discuss its significance, and then hang the ornament on the tree.
After adding each ornament to the tree, take time to reflect as a class or family on the symbol’s significance. Consider including prayers for that day’s theme, asking for God’s grace in the special season of Advent.
The symbols and readings associated with the Jesse Tree come from both the Old and the New Testaments. Below are some of the key figures and events traditionally included in the Jesse Tree journey:
Typically, the first ornament is a symbol of the world or creation—an earth, a sun, or a globe. The creation story reminds us of God's that God made the world and everything in it, including us, good and in his image and likeness.
It’s common to see an apple or a serpent symbol to represent the fall of man. Through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin entered the world, but God promised a redeemer, fulfilled in Jesus, to save humanity.
A rainbow is often used as the symbol for Noah, reminding us of God’s covenant with his people after the flood. Noah’s story depicts God's faithfulness and his promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.
A ram or a tent symbolizes Abraham, the father of many nations. God promised Abraham that through his descendants, all the nations of the earth would be blessed—another promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
A ram is also associated with Isaac, particularly in the story of Abraham’s almost sacrifice of his son. In this Biblical account, God provided a ram to take Isaac’s place. This story acts as a foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus, the lamb of God, for our sins.
A ladder or stairway is often used for Jacob, referencing his dream of a ladder that reached up to heaven. In this Scripture story, God promised that he would be with Jacob and his descendants, a promise fulfilled in Christ.
Joseph and his coat of many colors is the symbol commonly used for Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Despite his suffering, Joseph’s faith in God brought salvation to his family during a time of famine.
A burning bush symbolizes Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Through Moses, God gave his people the Ten Commandments, preparing the way for Jesus Christ and his New Covenant, the fulfillment of the law.
A harp or a crown is used to represent King David, Israel’s greatest king. God promised that the Messiah would come from David’s line, and Jesus is part of this family tree.
A scroll or a prophet's staff is often used to represent the many prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah throughout Scripture. These prophets, including the prophet Isaiah, proclaimed that a Savior would be born to redeem Israel and the world.
A lily or an angel traditionally symbolizes the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary and announced that she would become the Mother of the Son of God.
A simple image of Mary or a flower symbolizes Mary’s "yes" to God’s will and her role as the Mother of Jesus. Her fiat (her consent) is an essential part of God’s plan of salvation.
A manger or a star represents the birth of Jesus. This is the culmination of the Jesse Tree journey—the long-awaited fulfillment of God’s promises in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
The Jesse Tree is more than a fun, traditional holiday craft that will bring the kids in your home or classroom together. It can also be an effective catechetical tool or resource for several reasons:
The Jesse Tree offers an engaging way to teach children about the key figures, events, and themes in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Each ornament and Scripture passage helps children see how the Old Testament points toward the coming of Jesus in the New Testament.
The Jesse Tree fosters a sense of unity and shared experience among students or family members. It encourages prayer and reflection together and gives Catholic kids and families just another way to make Advent meaningful.
By incorporating Scripture into the daily tradition, the Jesse Tree deepens children’s understanding of God’s word and His plan for salvation, providing a strong spiritual foundation. Reference a classroom or family copy of the New American Bible, Revised Edition to read from corresponding passages on Jesse Tree ornaments or symbols to fortify this connection.
The hands-on aspect of creating or decorating the ornaments is a fun way to get children involved in the tradition. It can be a great time to bond as a class or family while also introducing them to the sacred themes of Advent.
The Jesse Tree helps build excitement for the coming of Christmas by focusing on the biblical anticipation of the Messiah. It keeps the focus on the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people, Jesus Christ, that is the great gift at Christmas.
The Jesse Tree is a beautiful and enriching tradition for Catholic kids and families to celebrate Advent. Through daily Scripture readings, prayer, and the addition of meaningful ornaments, the Jesse Tree provides an opportunity to walk through the history of salvation, focusing on God's faithfulness and the promise of a Savior.
