The Jesse Tree is a tree
that may be set up in the home during the
Advent Season. It is a wonderful
learning project that teaches us the
lineage of Jesus starting from
Jesse.
A small evergreen or a branch
from any tree may be used. I used a branch
from a tree and spray painted
it white and placed it in a small flower pot
anchored with the green stuff
used by florists.
The type of tree is not important.
What is important is the type of
decorations which are made to
hang on it.
Jesse was the father of King David.
The lineage of Jesus is foretold in
Isaiah 11 1,10 and in the geneologies
of Jesus in Matthew 1:5-6 and
Luke 3:22.
"There shall come forth
from the stump of Jesse's tree, and a branch
shall grow out of his roots.And
the spirit of the Lord will rest upon him-
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of councel and might
the spirit of knowledge and fear
of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the
Lord. he will never judge by appearance,
false evidence, or hearsay. He will
defend the poor and exploited.
he will rule against the wicked and destroy them
with the breath of His mouth. He
will be clothed in fairness and truth".
When we make a Jesse Tree, we remember
the family of Jesse and all the
people through history who helped
prepare the world for the coming of Jesus.
When we think about each decoration
and it's symbolismwit helps us recall each
person and the role they played
in God's perfect plan. The ark is a symbol for Noah.
David is represented by a harp,
Jacob is a ladder, a lion is Daniel, Apple is Adam
and Eve .
Biblical References for symbols:
Apple .......................................Adam
and Eve Genesis 3:15
Ark............................................Noah
Genesis 6:8
Lamb........................................Isaac
Genesis 22:1-19
Knife.........................................Abraham
Genesis 22:17-18
Ladder.....................................Jacob
Genesis 28:1-22
Coat.........................................Joseph
Genesis 37:1-4
Burning Bush...........................Moses
Exodus 3
Harp.........................................David
I Samuel 16:14-23
Crown......................................Solomon
Kings 1:22-48
Whale......................................Jonah
Jonah 1
Dove........................................Elisha
II Kings 5:1-27 (spirit of healing)
Rose........................................Isaiah
Isaiah 35:1-2
Heart........................................Ruth
Ruth 1:15-18
Wheel......................................Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1:15-21
Lion..........................................Daniel
Daniel 6:1-24
Lily............................................Mary
Luke 1:26-28
Hammer..................................Joseph
Traditional Symbol
Camel and Star......................Wisemen
Matthew 2:1-12
Chi Rho...................................Jesus
Traditional Symbol (an X with
a P through the middle of it)
These are few of the symbols
depicting the prophets and ancestors in
the heritage of Christ.
As you re-read the Biblical references mentioned,
you will find more symbols to
add to your own Jesse Tree. After the
tree is completed and Christmas
is over we put it away until next year.
While decorating it we take a
few of the decorations each night and
read the scripture relating to
it.
The complete book on how to make
a Jesse tree can be found in my
Christmas
book store selections and ordered
through
Barnes
and Nobel
It is suggested that you have children
draw and color the symbols, apply
cotton balls to the lamb, matchsticks
for the spokes of the wheel, glitter
to the crown and star, use
your own imagination. It's your family's
Jesse Tree.
Blessing of the Jesse Tree:
So we have decorated our Jesse
Tree. It is covered with reminders of the
ancestors of Jesus' family on
earth. It is a family tree. We too are a
part of the family of Christ.
How blessed we are and we dedicate it to Your
Glory, O Lord.
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