Make Your Own Jesse Tree
The following project is for 25 ornaments to be hung on a small tree beginning December 1 and ending on Christmas Day. We’ve created a set of 25 printable ornaments with the suggested Scripture verses for each one. The images on each ornament feature artwork from students who attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. These one-of-a-kind designs are available for everyone to download and use.
You will need:
- 25 7-inch pieces of string
- Bible (for readings)
- Computer with internet access and printer
- Printable Ornaments
Directions:
- Print the designs on a sheet of 8 ½ x 11 card stock
- Using scissors, cut out the circles
- Use a hole puncher to make a hole at the top of
each ornament. - Attach the string to the ornaments.
What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse tree gets its name from Jesse, the father of King David. Symbols that represent the people and events leading up to the birth of Jesus are created to tell the stories of the Old Testament. These symbols can then be displayed on a banner or hung on branches of a tree during Advent.
The Jesse tree, in the tangible symbolic context, is not just a great teaching tool for kids, but also a way for us all, young and old, to catalog and ponder the amazing historical and spiritual events that led up to Christ’s birth. It is a “family tree” of sorts that inventories Jesus’ ancestors and provides the lineage that is necessary for His messianic fulfillment. And most relevant during this time of the year, it is another great custom in our Catholic Church to help us anticipate our Lord’s coming during the Advent season to bring light to the world.
It is powerful to contemplate the profound and amazing historical events that led to the birth of Christ. Today, we have the advantage of being able to look back and see how it all makes sense. We can see how the biblical narrative, through the trials and wanderings of the Jewish people, makes way for Christ’s arrival. But taken individually as unique and separate stories, each symbolized upon the Jesse tree, we are reminded of how God has worked in the world throughout time in mysterious and beautiful ways to guide and protect His Church, as He still does today. There are many different ways to create a Jesse tree, and the imagery and corresponding stories (from Scripture) can vary. The main objective is to show the important people in Jesus’ lineage and reflect on how each one’s role was important in God’s plan for salvation.
