CWL

The Jesse tree

The Jesse Tree has medieval roots.  In art, it was a depiction of Jesus' ancestry and salvation history. It has become popular in modern Christian circles as an excellent way to prepare for Christmas. There is no agreed upon 'cannon' of reading or icons.  I still use the ones that we first learned.

Here are some links relating to the Jesse Tree.

Wikipedia has an article on medieval Jesse tree depiction in art

Here are resources for the using and making a Jesse Tree:

https://young-catholics.com/98/advent-ideas-make-a-jesse-tree/ 

https://www.simplycatholic.com/the-jesse-tree/

https://s3staging.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/the-jesse-tree/

https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/

https://peacelovechristmas.com/jesse-tree-advent-tradition/

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/jesse-trees

My own experience

When my children were young, I looked for an alternative to the chocolate advent calendars, especially as the ones with religious depictions became harder to find.  I remember advent calendars from my childhood which had no chocolate or candy, but which had the doors you opened daily which would gradually reveal the Christmas story.

We started by making our own advent calendars, using old Christmas cards.  Each door would hide a picture that the children had cut out, and a bible verse that I chose.  

Each evening, the child whose turn it was opened the door, chose a prayer. Then we would light the advent candle(s), say the prayer, read the bible verses, and the child would choose an advent carol, and a Chrstmas fun song to sing, (and also got to blow out the candle(s)).  The challenge was to continue singing Advent carols, but as we got closer to Christmas, Christmas carols would sneak in. To help,  I had put together binders of colour coded Chrstmas carols, Advent carols and seasonal fun songs for each child.

We learned about the Jesse Tree tradition through the 'Nazareth Journal'.  As the children got older and our family grew, we had less time to make our yearly calendar.  So I decided to use the resources that I had available, and cross stitched the Jesse Tree ornaments, and my menfolk made a tree for them. I can send photos of those original ornaments as well.  I can not share those patterns, as many of them were not designed by me.

The Jesse Tree was a perfect fit for our advent  devotions. 

My Jesse Tree Blackwork designs are available below.  If you use them, I would appreciate it if you would donate to our roof fund.  See our home page for details.

Individual Week One Patterns

Individual Week Two Patterns

Individual Week Three Patterns

Individual Week Four Patterns