The Jesse Tree dates back to the middle ages and came from Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their stained glass windows. The "tree" is usually a branch or sapling and is decorated with various symbols that remind us of the purpose and promises of God from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesse was the father of King David and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)
Making a Jesse Tree
You will need the following:
Step 1 Get the tree ready. Stand it straight up in the centre of the coffee tin. Place the stones in the tin, around the bottom of the tree, to hold it in place.
Step 2 Place the tree somewhere in your home. Wind the purple fabric around the bottom of the tree, just like a Christmas tree skirt.
Step 3 Download the following symbols. The bible verses for the symbols are also listed you can discover why each symbol is used:
Angel: Exodus 18:1-16
Apple: Genesis 3
Ark: Genesis 6:9-15
Baby in a Bunting: Luke 2:1-14
Crown: Genesis 49:10, Rev. 1:5-8
Donkey: John 12:12-14
Burning Bush: Exodus 3:1-10
Dove: Genesis 8:6-12
Flowers: Genesis 1:11-13
Hammer: Matthew 1:18-25
Harp: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Heart: 1 John 4:9-10
Coat of Colors: Genesis 45:4-15
Key: 1 Kings 2:1-9
Ladder: Genesis 28:10-17
Lamb: Exodus 12:1-13
Lion: Daniel 6:2-29
Mary: Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:46-55
Saw: Matthew 1:18-25
Rainbow: Genesis 9:12-17
Snake: Genesis 3:1-14
Star of David: Micah 5:1-4
Stump of Jesse:1 Samuel 16:1-13
Sun: Genesis 1:1-19, John 8:12-20 (Son)
Tablets: Exodus 13:3-22
Torah Scroll: Jeremiah 36:2-8
Whale: Jonah 2:3-10
Wheat: Ruth 4:10-17
Step 4 Draw one star on blue construction paper and write your family name on the star.
Step 5 When you have the all the symbols drawn on the paper, you can have your children cut out them out, or you can do it yourself if they're not old enough to handle scissors.
Step 6 Once the symbols are cut, punch a hole in the top of each symbol. Cut a 6-inch piece of yarn and tie it through the hole.
Step 7 When you have tied a piece of yarn to all the symbols, hang them on the tree. You now have a Jesse Tree that represents special places and times in Jesus's heritage.
Click on the PDF icons to download your Jesse Tree Symbols
