How to Make A Jesse Tree

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Are you looking for quick and simple instructions for how to make a Jesse Tree for Advent?

This tradition is awesome because it strings together the coming of the Messiah in a way that kids can engage with and understand. All those Bible stories they learned about in church, they get to see how they all played a role in setting the stage for Jesus to be born into the world.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Jesse Tree. We’ll cover basic questions like, what is a Jesse Tree for children? And what is the purpose of the Jesse Tree?

And then move into the fun questions like, how to make a Jesse Tree? And where is the Jesse Tree in the Bible?

What Is A Jesse Tree?

The Jesse tree is a fun family Christmas tradition that uses Bible stories to trace the history of Jesus’ family line. So you learn about the hope of Jesus coming while it was still just a seed of prophecy.

It includes 24-30 stories about Jesus and his family lineage and the people of Israel. Read story number one on the first day of Advent and continue reading one story a day until you reach Christmas Day. You can share these stories from memory or read them from a Jesse Tree devotional book.

Each story corresponds with a special ornament. After reading the story, hang the ornament on your Christmas Tree. By the time Christmas Day arrives, you will have shared 24+ Bible stories with your kids and made awesome memories doing it! Check out the Jesse Tree ornament list here.

Where Did the Jesse Tree Originate?

The idea of the Jesse Tree originated with Isaiah 11.

There shall come forth a Rod from the [b]stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-2

And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.”
Isaiah 11:10

He will set up a banner for the nations,
And will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
And gather together the dispersed of Judah
From the four corners of the earth.
Isaiah 11:12

If you were wondering where to find the Jesse Tree in the Bible; there you have it!

God gave these words to the prophet Isaiah to deliver to the people of Israel. God declared a Messiah (Savior) was coming. He would be sought by all nations. He would be a banner for all who walked with Him and would bring together the people of Israel. And… He would come from the tribe of Judah and the line of Jesse (the father of King David).

And so the journey through story (the lineage of Jesus) begins. I love how beautifully Ann Voskamp tells these stories in her Jesse Tree story book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. She makes it extra fun by adding family activities and kid-friendly discussion prompts for each day’s readings. It’s a blast!

The Jesse Tree Story

What if you don’t know all the stories that go along with the tradition? In past generations, these Bible stories were passed down through families. More recently things have shifted to where most of these stories are only taught to kids in Sunday school.

Story books make it easy to share the stories of Jesus’ lineage in a kid-friendly way. The best part is that as you participate you learn the stories, your children learn the stories, and together you gain the honor of sharing them with your family line.

I love how Geraldine McCaughrean tells the story in her Jesse Tree story book. A little boy walks into the church and sees an older gentleman carving a Jesse Tree. The boy’s curiosity gets the best of him and he begins to “bug” the old man, asking all kinds of questions about the tree and what it stood for. What starts as a grumpy, reluctant lecture about an (almost) forgotten tradition, becomes an engaging conversation about the Jesse Tree in the Bible, the promise of the Messiah, and the lives of those who came before Him. It’s a must-read!

What Is the Significance of the Jesse Tree Symbol?

The purpose of the Jesse Tree is to remind us of the faithfulness of God.

The Jesse Tree symbol is significant because it represents that God’s promise to the world came precisely how He said it would. Jesus is the branch that stemmed from the root of Jesse. It is Jesus who paved the way for gentile believers to be grafted into His people. He is the tree of life for all who will come to Him; Jew and Gentile alike.

It all started with a promise, and it happened because of God’s faithfulness.

How to Make A Jesse Tree

You can make your own Jesse Tree in a couple of quick steps:

Find a “Charlie Brown Tree”.
Pot and Prep Your Tree
Decorate
Place Your Ornaments

Find Your “Charlie Brown” Tree

Obviously, you don’t want your tree to be flimsy, and it doesn’t necessarily have to have bare branches like Charlie Brown’s did in a Charlie Brown’s Christmas but there is something beautiful about simple. Maybe it’s the symbolism. Beautiful things come from humble beginnings.

Israel began as a small and fragile nation.
Jesus came as a baby.
The church started in persecution.

Humility creates an atmosphere where God alone is exulted. That’s what I think of when I see the Jesse Tree. It’s not the tree that stands out, but the stories attached to it, each pointing to the faithfulness of God and His love for us.

All that being said, I know plenty of people who use their beautiful big bold evergreen Christmas trees as Jesse trees too. Whatever works works.

Preparing Your Tree

You’ll need a place to put your tree.

Find a flower pot or a planting pot for a small tree; something sturdy and make a date out of decorating it. Paint the manger scene, decorate with Christmas stamps, or write your favorite Christmas Bible verse. Have fun with it! Or don’t. There’s nothing wrong with a classy sturdy pot. 😉 When you’re ready, Fill the pot with a potting substance (dirt, sand, rocks, etc.) for stability and plot your Jesse Tree in there.

Voila!

Decorate!

With a Jesse Tree, the simple decor is best. Adding twine or string can help make it easier to hang the ornaments.

Last year we tied a small red ribbon to the bottom of our tree (right where it meets the pot).

Remember, as you add ornaments it will begin to fill out, so there’s no need to add a ton of decor right now, but a little fun never hurt anyone.

Place Your Ornaments

Advent tradition teaches that each day of Advent you add one ornament or Advent card (we’re using these and love them!) to your tree. If you’re using an Advent book like Unwrapping the Greatest gifts, the ornament you hang will match the devotional you read for that day.

And listen, it’s ok if this approach isn’t what you had in mind. If you’re looking for something a bit more simple to do with your kids, the next section has alternatives that I bet you’ll love!

Simple and Fun Alternatives for Kids!

There are lots of simple ways to go about making this tradition work for your home. Here are some ideas:

Read the stories and hang your ornaments on your Christmas Tree. So what if it’s evergreen? It’ll work!
Instead of using a tree, hang a line of string on your wall or fireplace mantle and use it to hang your ornaments each day.
Another alternative, secure a tree branch (horizontally) to the wall and hang your ornaments from there.
Use this magnet sets to hang your Jesse Tree and ornaments on your refrigerator.
The Mercies at the Manger Advent devotional has stickers that are perfect for creating your own Jesse Tree ornaments! Grab the sticker set and these blank wood ornaments and you’re golden!

Jesse Tree Ornament List

Ok, so we’ve already answered the questions, what is the Jesse Tree for children?

Now I’m going to introduce you to each of the Jesse Tree symbols in order PLUS where you’ll find these stories in the Bible. Click here to print the Jesse Tree pdf free!

Here’s Our Ornament list:

Tree Stump with a Shoot – Jesse (Isaiah 11, 1 Samuel 17)
The World – Creation (Genesis 1)
Apple and/or Snake – Adam, Eve, and the first sin (Genesis 2-3)
Ark and/or Rainbow – Noah (Genesis 6 – 9)
Camel and/or Tent – God Sends Abraham (Genesis 12)
A Stary Sky – God’s Promise to Abraham (Genesis 15)
Ram and/or Mountain – Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 21-22)
Ladder – Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28)
Coat of Many Colors – Joseph (Genesis 39-45)
Fire – God Reveals Himself to Moses (Exodus 3)
The 10 Commandments – Moses and the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20)
Brick Wall or Red Rope – Rahab & Jericho (Joshua 2)
Wheat – Ruth and Boaz (Ruth)
Shepherd Staff – David the Shepherd Boy (1 Samuel 16)
Crown – David Crowned King (2 Samuel 5)
Scroll – Josiah (2 Kings 22-23)
Lion and a Lamb – Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Coming Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9)
Cross – Isaiah’s Prophecy of A Savior (Isaiah 9)
Heart with Writing – Isaiah’s Prophecy of A New Covenant (Isaiah 56, Jeremiah 31)
Bethlehem – Prophecy of A Savior Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5)
Star – Angel appears to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Candle – Elizabeth, Zachariah, and Prophecy of John the Baptist (Luke 1)
Angel – Angel appears to Joseph (Matthew 1)
Baby – Jesus is born (Luke 2)

When Should I Start A Jesse Tree?

If you want to keep in step with Advent traditions, you’ll want to start on the first day of Advent. You can figure out the first day of Advent by counting 4 Sundays before Christmas. This may mean using more than the traditional 24 stories, but that’s ok! We’ve got a list of extras in the handout we made for you (see next section)!

Another option is to start your countdown on December 1^st.

Print this Jesse Tree PDF!

Want to keep track of all the fun Jesse Tree stories and symbols to share this Advent? Click here to print this free Jesse Tree handout!

Even if you don’t want to use the ornaments, having these Bible stories and reading them each day of Advent is a great way to help kids stay engaged with Jesus during the rush of the holiday season. If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy a Christ-centered Christmas at home, this post is for you!

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How to Make A Jesse Tree