The Jesse Tree
This resource is designed to help children, young people and families to prepare for Christmas and the
celebraon of Jesus’ birth. It traces Jesus’ family tree from creaon through to the visit of the wise men,
in the tradion of the Jesse Tree, retelling many of the Bible stories that led up to Jesus’ birth. The symbol
of the Jesse Tree comes from Isaiah 11: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a
branch shall grow out of his roots.”
Instrucons
To make a Jesse Tree, use a small arcial tree, a shapely tree branch in a pot, or you may choose to hang
the symbols from a string or nsel, like bunng.
Each day during Advent, read together the Bible passage, the devoonal thought, and the prayer for the
day. Also, cut out the symbol at the boom of the page, which represents the person or event for that
day, and place it on the tree. On Christmas Day, place the symbol for Jesus on the top of the tree.
To make the experience meaningful for children, involve them as much as possible. Young children, as
well as older children, will enjoy cung out the symbols and placing them on the tree. This acvity may
take place either before or aer the devoonal reading – whatever works best for you. Young children
might understand them beer if they are completed aer the explanaons given in the readings. Children
can nd the daily readings for themselves.
You can share your Jesse Tree story with us on social media, tagging @GoTeamAdvisers @BathWells on
Twier and/or Instagram.
You will need:
• A Bible
• Scissors
• Yarn to hang the symbols or tape to sck them to the tree
This version of the Jesse Tree is based on hps://www.rca.org/resources/jesse-tree-family-devoons
and was adapted by Cheryl Govier and Tony Cook.
The symbols were illustrated by Jon Birch hp://www.birchmulmedia.com/