The
Jesse Tree gets its name from
Isaiah 11:1 which reads:
"A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and branch out from his roots." The Jesse Tree may serve as a guide through
Advent, pointing out the history of messiah prophecies through the
Old Testament. The
Jesse Tree starts with the creation story and eventually leads up to the story of the birth of Jesus.
The custom of the Jesse Tree is traced back to the Middle Ages in Europe and has been brought to America. Within the United States this form of Advent Calendar isn't universal and is mostly seen in the rural parts of the Midwest and New England. Unfortunately, this custom is disappearing slowly as more and more aspects of Christmas become commercialized. (Who hasn't seen the chocolate candy Advent Calendars in stores or as fundraisers?)
Though the day to start the Jesse tree is different (some start with the introduction of the tree on November 30, while others follow the Advent calender and start on the First Sunday of Advent).
The following list will take the form of:
Date: Symbol
person - event/theme
Scripture.
- First Sunday of Advent: The Tree
(none) - Introduction
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Isaiah 11:1-10
- Monday: Dove
God - Creation
Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
- Tuesday: Tree with fruit
Adam and Eve - The First Sin
Genesis 2:4 - 3:24
- Wednesday: Rainbow or Ark
Noah - The Flood
Genesis 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17
- Thursday: (Field of) Stars
Abraham - The Promise
Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6
- Friday: Ram
Isaac - Offering of Isaac
Genesis 22:1-19
- Saturday: Ladder
Jacob - Assurance of the Promise
Genesis 27:41-28:22
- Second Sunday of Advent: Sack of Grain or Coat
Joseph - God's Providence
Genesis 37, 391-50:21
- Monday: Burning Bush
Moses - God's Leadership
Exodus 2:1 - 4:20
- Tuesday: Lamb
Israelites - Passover and Exodus
Exodus 12:1 - 14:31
- Wednesday: Tablets of the Torah (Ten Commandments)
God - Giving the Torah at Mt. Sinai
Exodus 19:1-20:20
- Thursday: (Ram's Horn) Trumpet
Joshua - Fall of Jericho
Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20
- Friday: (Clay) Water Pitcher
Gideon - Unlikely Heros
Judges 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28
- Saturday: Crown
Samuel - The Beginning of the Kingdom
1 Samuel 3:1-21, 71-8:22, 9:15 - 10:9
- Third Sunday of Advent: Shepherd's Crook or Harp
David - A shepherd for the People
1 Samuel 16:1-17:58, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 7:1-17
- Monday: Stone Altar
Elijah - The threat of false gods
1 Kings 17:1-16, 18:17-46
- Tuesday: Tent
Hezekiah - Faithfulness and Deliverance
2 Kings 18:1-19:19,32-37
- Wednesday: Fire Tongs
Isaiah - Call to Holiness
Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7
- Thursday: Tears
Jeremiah - The Exile
Jeremiah 1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22-9:11
- Friday: Watchtower
Habakkuk - Waiting
Habakkuk 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19
- Saturday: Wall
Nehemiah - Return and Rebuilding
Nehemiah 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-12
- Fourth Sunday of Advent: Scallop Shell
John the Baptist - Repentance
Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-20, 7:18-30
It should be noted that things have moved to the New Testament
as part of the last week of Advent
- Monday - White Lily
Mary - The Hope for a future
Luke 1:26-38
- Tuesday - Mother and Child
Elizabeth - Joy
Luke 1:39-56
- Wednesday - Pencil and Tablet
Zechariah - Anticipation
Luke 1:57-80
- Thursday - Carpenter's Square or Hammer
Joseph - Trust
Matthew 1:19-25
- Friday - Star or Candle
Magi - Worship
Matthew 2:1-12
- Dec 24 - Manger
Jesus - Birth of the Messiah
Luke 2:1-20
- Dec 25 - Χ-Ρ (Chi-Rho) Symbol
Christ - The Son of God
John 1:1-18
This is just one of the examples of a Jesse Tree. While the general theme exists, the choice of scripture readings is by no means the only list.