When my nine children were growing up, one of our Advent traditions was the Jesse Tree. Now that I have grandchildren, I've returned to this beautiful tradition with them. And I've come to appreciate just how much it can teach us about our faith.
The Jesse Tree is a simple way to teach salvation history, helping children (and adults!) understand how the people and events of the Old Testament prepare us for the coming of Jesus Christ.
The tradition comes from the prophecy of Isaiah:
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1)
Jesse was the father of King David, from whose family line the Messiah would come. The Jesse Tree traces the story of God's plan for salvation, beginning with Creation and moving through the great figures and events of Scripture until we arrive at the birth of Christ.
For our Jesse Tree, we placed a new ornament on a branch each day during Advent. Each one represented a person or event from Scripture. We had Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, Abraham, Moses, Esther, King David, and many more. As Christmas approached, the ornaments turned our attention toward John the Baptist, Mary, and finally, the birth of Jesus.
I loved doing this with my children because it made the stories of Scripture memorable. But I also discovered that the Jesse Tree wasn't just for little ones.
When I taught catechism, I used the Jesse Tree with my faith formation students, including those preparing for Confirmation. It was a fun way to see how well they remembered the important people and events of the Bible, but more importantly, it helped them understand how those stories fit together.
After all, salvation history is our history as Christians. These aren't simply stories about people who lived thousands of years ago. They tell us how God patiently prepared His people for the coming of the Savior and how His promises were fulfilled in Christ.
That's what makes the Jesse Tree such a meaningful Advent tradition. While we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the generations who waited for Him and the extraordinary story that led to Bethlehem.
Whether you make your own tree or use a ready-made Jesse Tree such as this Wooden Jesse Tree Advent Activity, it's a wonderful way to bring Scripture into your home this Advent and help children understand the story of salvation, one ornament at a time.
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