Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Craft

'And a shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse: a branch out of his roots.' Isaiah 11:1. This Biblical passage from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah is foretelling the coming of a new branch in the family tree of King David. Jesse was the father of David. David was the king of Israel during her Golden Age. After Solomon, David's son died, the kingdom fell to quarreling and heathen practices. The two kingdoms finally split and ultimately were carried off into slavery by a succession of eastern rulers from Assyria, Babylon, Media and Persia.

David's lineage from Jesse is said to have withered or died. Isaiah refers to the family tree as a stump (great imagery). But we are also promised a new branch which will bring new life to the old dead tree. Many Christians us The Jesse Tree during Advent to guide their devotions. The Jesse Tree traces the lineage of Jesus through Jesse. It was also called the Adam and Eve tree and was decorated with apples and white wafers to remind us of the Host used in the Eucharist. The Jesse or Chrisom Tree as it is also called, is often confused with the Christmas tree. An evergreen is generally used and is decorates with ornaments that represent different people and stories in the life and family of Immanuel or Jesus.

You can make your own Jesse Tree easily for use in your home, Church, catechism or Sunday School. The Jesse Tree is a wonderful devotional tool to help children focus upon the Advent of Jesus. It is used as a count down of sorts also, in that one ornament or story is discussed each day through Christmas and into Epiphany if you desire.

There are many figures and stories to include. Adjust the number you include for the ages of the children and also the length you will use the Jesse Tree. I like to carry the Jesse Tree on through Epiphany to cover as many stories as possible. Also the church celebrates Christmas through to Epiphany.

Here is the list of stories to include:
Creation Gen. 1:1-31; 2: 1-4 (tree, drop of water, globe)
Adam and Eve Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 (plant, sword, angel, leaf)
Fall of Man Gen 3: 1-7, 23, 24 (apple, serpent)
Noah Gen. 6: 5-8, 13-22; 7: 17-23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 (rainbow, ark, dove)
Abraham Gen. 12:1-3 (tent, man)
Isaac Gen. 22:1-14(ram, bush, altar)
Jacob Gen. 25:1-34;28:10-15 (ladder)
Joseph Gen. 323-28;45: 3-15 (striped robe, coin, silver cup)
Moses Ex. 2:1-10 ( bush, basket, baby)
Passover/ Exodus Exod 12:1-14:31(bush, staff))
10 Commandments Exod 19:1-20:20(stone tablet)
Joshua Josh 1:1-11, 6:1-20(trumpet, wall)
Gideon Judge 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28(clay pitcher)
Samuel 1 Samuel 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9 (scroll)
David 1 Sam 16:1-23-17:58,(harp, crown)
Elijah 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17 (fire)
Isaiah Isa 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7 (rose)
John the Baptist Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30(locust, water)
Mary Luke 1:26-38 (white lily)
Elizabeth Luke 1:39-56(mother and child)
Zechariah Luke 1:57-80(paper and pencil)
Joseph Matt 1:19-25(hammer, square)
Magi Matt 2:1-12(gifts)
Jesus Luke 2:1-20(star)
Christ John 1:1-18(Chi-Rho symbol circle with P with x on the bottom)

You can make your Jesse tree as simple as a green paper Christmas tree shape. You can make one per child or a larger one for the family or class. Each day, read the devotion and give the children a round white piece of paper circle about 3 inches in diameter. Ask them to illustrate the story you have read from the Bible or draw a symbol. The paper reminds us again of the the round white wafer or Host of the Eucharist.

Another fun and educational way to explore and experience the Jesse Tree, is to make a one from a real or tree. You can choose to make the ornaments yourself ahead of time or let your children or students make figures themselves. Next to each verse for the daily devotional, I have listed some objects or icons to make and hang upon the tree. You will need:

a 2-3 foot tree artificial or live potted tree like a Norfolk Island pine
assorted fabric
yarn
small silk flowers
tiny dolls or figures (Polly Pocket size)
toy plastic animals
beads( wooden, metal)
bell
buttons
ornament hooks or paper clips

Students or children should use the the materials provided to create ornaments representing each story or character in the Jesse Tree. Hang them on the tree with hooks. Use the objects to tell the stories to younger children. They can even choose objects from the tree to here the story about it. Enjoy this devotional as a way to understand Advent, explore the Bible and count down to Christmas.