by Arlene Miles

Created on: November 30, 2010

The Jesse Tree Tradition is a practice rooted in medieval times, originally in the form of carvings, stained glass windows, or illuminated manuscripts that literally translated Isaiah 11:1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Some Protestant denominations moved away from the practice during the Reformation, eschewing any visual representation of religious concepts. Jesse Trees experienced a revival as a Gothic Revival art trend during the 19th century. Today, Jesse Trees are used to celebrate Advent and are sometimes used as a replacement for Advent Calendars.

This art form represents the relationship between Jesse, the father of David, the first person in the genealogy of Jesus, and Jesus himself. Objects or ornaments center on a tree culminate with figures of Christ and/or Mary, with branches showing the ancestors of Jesus as listed in the Gospel of Matthew. Representations typically start with a tree branching outward from a reclining or sleeping Jesse.

The number and identity of the included figures varies, with a maximum of 43 generations between Jesse and Jesus represented if the genealogy of the Gospel of Luke is used. Solomon and David are always included. Other traditional symbols that may be placed on a Jesse Tree as noted by Crossroads Initiative are: a globe to represent creation, snake and apples for Adam and Even, a rainbow for Noah and the Flood, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph with his multi-colored coat, Moses, Miriam, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Angels, Malachi, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Angels, John the Baptist, and the Star of Bethlehem. St. Joseph, although part of the genealogy, is seldom used. A related scripture passage accompanies each ornament or figure, often written on the back of each piece.

Specific practices and the structure of the Jesse Tree vary from family to family. Most modern traditions focus on God’s redemption in the Old Testament, leading to the birth of Christ. Modern Jesse Trees can take virtually any format from drawings on paper to felt representations to bare branches placed in a bucket of sand to full size evergreens. Ornaments may be as simple as paper drawings or cut-outs from magazines or commercially made ornaments or ornament kits.

Typical traditions start with hanging the first ornament on either December 1 or the first Sunday of Advent with at least one ornament hung each succeeding day until Christmas when the Christ child is placed on top. An accompanying Bible verse is read, followed by a review and discussion of the story. The purpose of the ornaments and stories is to focus on Bible prophecies and to emphasize how God prepared the world for Jesus’ kingdom.

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