The Jesse Tree

A great activity for Advent is the Jesse Tree. In Isaiah 11:1 we read "Like a branch that sprouts from the stump of Jesse..." This refers to Jesus coming from the family of Jesse who was the great King David's father. A Jesse tree allows us to reflect on Jesus' ancestors and his linage. Each day beginning with the First Sunday in Advent, an ornament is added to the tree. Your "tree" may be a dead branch brought in from the yard, a small artificial pine tree or a fabric triangle hanging on the wall. Your family can make ornaments out of paper and create their own designs and symbols from the Scripture reading or use the ones suggested below.

First Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 11: 1-2 -- The Jesse Tree Symbols: leaf, branch
Monday: Creation -- Genesis 1:26-31 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, etc.
Tuesday: Adam & Eve -- Genesis 3:1-7 Symbols: tree, apple
Wednesday: Noah -- Genesis 6:11-22, 9:8-13 Symbols: ark, dove, rainbow
Thursday: Abraham & Sarah -- Genesis 12:1-7, Hebrews 11:8 Symbols: Tent, camel
Friday: Isaac -- Genesis 22:1-14 Symbols: ram, altar, bundle of wood
Saturday: Genesis 28:10-22 -- Jacob Symbol: ladder

Second Sunday in Advent: Genesis 35:9-15 -- Symbol: Stars
Monday: Joseph -- Genesis 37:1-4 Symbols: coat, bucket, well, coins
Tuesday: Moses -- Exodus 21:1-17 Symbols: Baby in basket, 10 Commandments
Wednesday: Ruth -- Ruth 1:15-18 Symbols: wheat
Thursday: Samuel -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Symbols: lamp, horn and wall, temple
Friday: David -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 Symbols: crown, 6-pointed star
Saturday: Solomon -- 1 Kings 3:3-14 Symbols: temple, scales of justice, baby & sword

Third Sunday in Advent: Light -- Isaiah 42:5-9 Symbols: Candle, sun
On the 17th of December we begin the "O" Antiphons. These are ancient prayers that highlight characteristics and the names we use for Jesus.  
Monday: Jesus is Wisdom -- Wisdom 8:1 Symbols: open book, oil lamp
Tuesday: Jesus is Lord -- Exodus 3:2, 20:1 Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets
Wednesday: Jesus is Flower of Jesse -- Isaiah 11:1-3 Symbols: flower, flowering plant
Thursday: Key of David -- Isaiah 22:22 Symbols: Keys, broken chain
Friday: Jesus is Radiant Dawn -- Psalm 19:6-7 Symbols: Rising sun, sun in sky
Saturday: Jesus is King of the Gentiles -- Psalm 2:7-8 Symbols: Scepter, crown

Fourth Sunday in Advent: Jesus is Emmanuel -- Isaiah 7:14; 33:22 Symbols: host, chalice
Monday: Jesus is the Light of the World -- John 1:1-14 Symbols: flame, candle, sun
Christmas Day: Chi Rho (P with the X on it) John 1:1-18