What Is a Jesse Tree?

Believers all over are looking for ways to be intentional about teaching our children about our faith. Jesse trees are an old tradition that is being rediscovered all over the United States. It is based on Isaiah 11:1 - "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots" and is a way of teaching the Old Testament background for the Messiah, and showing how all of God's promises have been fulfilled. The Advent season is a wonderful time to reaffirm God's faithfulness, and the lessons of the Jesse tree help do so.

A Jesse tree can be a small tree, a banner, a tree branch, a mobile, or any other thing used to hang ornaments. A special ornament is hung each day of the Advent season, and a corresponding short reading teaches the story and meaning for each ornament. Families can incorporate this into their family worship time during this season. Our devotional book includes a section on how do to this.

It is our hope that this will become a family tradition for you, just as it has for us, and that you will be blessed by all you learn.