Thanks for asking!
The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots."
According to Dean
Meador Lambert, author of
The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas, "The Jesse Tree seeks to tell the story of God's redemptive plan for the world through 25 symbols from the Old and New Testament. The symbols trace the heritage of Jesus Christ from the beginning of creation. Each symbol is explained with scriptures, devotions, questions, prayers, a memory verse, and songs."
Here are the "rules"
- Choose an ornament you would like. Remember, you'll be making 25 of the same ornament, so make it somewhat simple/doable.
- Email me so I can put your name beside the ornament list below.
- Ask a friend to join you. Someone at church, a neighbor, family member, etc.
- Have them do #'s 1 and 2.
- Meeting place and time will be announced.
- On the night of the exchange, simply bring your 25 ornaments (all the same one) in a basket. Have each ornament individually wrapped in a baggie with a label stating what it is and what day it is for (see picture below). This is a great help during the month of December and putting them away afterwards.
- Also, we'll bring a simple dish to the exchange.
I can't emphasize enough how these do not need to be fancy. You can even have your children help you. I will put together a list of the scriptures that go with each ornament. I have the book mentioned above, but it's not necessary. I think it was $10. I get some ideas from it for discussion and questions each night.
Here are the ornament choices (the green ones are spoken for :) :
Day 1 - Globe --Paula BuckhaltDay 2 - Apple and Snake -- Olga Ford
Day 3 - Ark with Rainbow -- Dawn WoodDay 4 - Camel and Tent -- Kim WisniewskiDay 5 - A Lamb -- Heather Scavo
Day 6 - A Ladder -- Cyndi WilliamsDay 7 - A Colorful Coat -- JoEllen Holder
Day 8 - A Tablet with Ten Numbers -- Louise ConnollyDay 9 - A Cluster of Grapes --Marilyn HaneyDay 10 - A Sheaf of Wheat -- Robbie SmithDay 11 - A Slingshot -- Tonya NelsonDay 12 - A Scroll or Bible -- Laura CloughertyDay 13 - A Stump with Fresh Shoot or Green Leaf -- Tonya NelsonDay 14 - A Lion and a Lamb -- Kristen
Day 15 - A Dove and a Crown -- Amy EadsDay 16 - A Lamb and a Shepherd's Staff -- Anne FortierDay 17 - A Cross -- Monica SmartDay 18 - A Heart with Writing on It -- Danelle HollandDay 19 - A Bethlehem Town Silhouette with Star -- Debbie DarwinDay 20 - A Fiery Furnace -- Luray JeffersDay 21 - A Brick Wall -- Kim BennettDay 22 - A Star -- Suzanne NorfleetDay 23 - A Candle or Light -- Holly RuckerDay 24 - An Angel -- Lori EarnestDay 25 - A Baby in a Manger or a Nativity Scene -- Stacy DarwinPlease email me at
stacydarwin@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in this exchange or if you have any questions.