The Jesse Tree A Jesse Tree usually comprises 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. Each Jesse Tree ornament is a handmade symbol or drawing that represents one of the major stories of the Old Testament along with a brief verse of Scripture from that story. 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) Stump image courtesy of clipartheaven.com How to make your own Jesse Tree at home You will need a bare branch which is then decorated with symbols to represent different people in Jesus’ family tree. The Jesse Tree acts as a visual reminder of the stories in the Bible that lead up to the birth of Christ. You will probably need to stand it in a plant pot with some stones or some soil, or find some other way of making it stand up. If you want to you can spray the branch with some silver paint. If you don’t want a separate tree you might want to cut out the symbols each day and then hang them on your Christmas tree when you put it up nearer to Christmas.
Transcript
The Jesse Tree
A Jesse Tree usually comprises 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. Each Jesse Tree ornament is a handmade
symbol or drawing that represents one of the major stories of the Old
Testament along with a brief verse of Scripture from that story.
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)
Stump image courtesy of clipartheaven.com
How to make your own Jesse Tree at home
You will need a bare branch which is then decorated with symbols to represent
different people in Jesus’ family tree. The Jesse Tree acts as a visual reminder
of the stories in the Bible that lead up to the birth of Christ. You will probably
need to stand it in a plant pot with some stones or some soil, or find some
other way of making it stand up. If you want to you can spray the branch with
some silver paint. If you don’t want a separate tree you might want to cut out
the symbols each day and then hang them on your Christmas tree when you
put it up nearer to Christmas.
December 1st
Suggested Reading
Genesis 3: 1-19
Reflection
God had created the perfect world and created man in his own image. Adam
and Eve did not listen to God’s words and were tempted by the snake. Once
they had eaten the apple their eyes were opened and at the same time sin
came into the world. Although God punished them he always loved them.
Prayer
Dear God help us to know the difference between right and wrong. Help us to
obey your word.
December 2nd
Suggested Reading
Genesis 6:11-14, 7:1-8, 9:8-13
Reflection
There was so much sin in the world that God decided that he would send a
flood to destroy all life. He recognised that Noah was a good man and gave him
instructions on what to do in order to save his family and the animals. Noah
did what God asked and was saved.
When the flood was over God promised that he would never do this again
even though Man would sin again. He used a rainbow to show that he had
made this promise: God always keeps his promises
Prayer
Dear God help us to remember that you always love us and keep your
promises.
December 3rd
Suggested Reading
Genesis 12:1-7
Reflection
God said to Abraham – leave your country and your family and your father’s
house for the land I will show you. I will make you a nation. Abraham took his
wife Sarah and went where Jesus has asked. This must have been a very hard
thing for Abraham to do.
Take a minute to think what it is like to leave everything you know and go
somewhere you’ve never been and know no one. God promised Abraham that
he would be blessed if he did what God asked. If we do the things that God
wants us to do we will also be blessed.
Prayer
Dear God help us to so the things you want us to do so that we may also have
your blessing.
December 4th
Suggested Reading
Genesis 21: 1-7
Reflection
During Christmas we may be thinking of what presents we would like.
Abraham’s wife, Sarah didn’t want material things but she desperately wanted
a son. She prayed to God that she would have one and he answered her
prayers when she gave birth to a boy.
Sometimes when we are busy with our lives we forget to take the time to talk
to God and ask him for his help. Let’s use this Advent time to remember that if
we pray to God, he will listen to us too.
Prayer
Dear God thank you for listening when we pray and for answering our prayers.
December 5th
Suggested Reading
Genesis 22: 1-14
Reflection
God wanted to test Abraham and asked him to make an offering of his
precious son, Isaac, to God. Abraham obeyed God’s request but before he
could make the offering the Angel of the Lord stopped him saying – Do not
raise your hand because I know you fear God. You have not refused him your
only son. Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bus and offered it as a
burnt offering instead of his son. Even though God has asked Abraham to do
something awful Abraham trusted God and God repaid that trust by telling
Abraham to stop, showing Abraham that he loved him.
Sometimes we are asked to do difficult things and it is difficult to remember
that God always loves us. Let’s use this Advent to remember that God gave us
His only son, the ultimate Christmas present, knowing that he would have to
die on the Cross for us. He did this because he loves us.
Prayer
Dear God we trust in you and know that you are looking after us even when we
are feeling sad and think that you are not there. Thank you for your love.
December 6th
Suggested Reading
Genesis 28:10-22
Reflection
Jacob had a dream about a ladder standing on the ground with its top reaching
to heaven and there were Angels of God going up and down it. God spoke to
Jacob and told him that his descendents would fill the earth and that God
would always be with him and keep him safe.
Jacob was Isaac’s son and he became the father of the twelve ancestors of the
twelve tribes of Israel. Sometimes he is called the Father of Israel. Christmas is
a time for families.
Prayer
Dear God we thank you for our families. Please be with us always and keep us
safe.
December 7th
Suggested Reading
Genesis 45: 4-5, 50:20
Reflection
Although Joseph’s father loved him very much, his brothers hated him and he
was sold to some Ishmaelites. The brothers pretended he had been killed and
gave their father Joseph’s blood stained coat as proof. Joseph ended up with
an important job and although his brothers had been horrible he forgave them
when they met again. It would have been very easy not too forgive but Joseph
showed them mercy because he could not put himself in God’s place: ‘The evil
they had planned had by God’s design turned into good so that he might bring
about the deliverance of evil’
Prayer
Dear God help us to forgive those who have hurt us.
December 8th
Suggested Reading
Deuteronomy 5: 1-22
Reflection
Moses explained the 10 commandments to the whole of Israel and wrote them
on two tablets of stone. Our daily lives are full of manmade rules to make sure
that society functions. During Advent let us take time to remember the rules
that God has given us but in particular the commandments to love God and to
love our neighbour. It’s sometimes hard to follow rules but if we follow God’s
rules we will do the right thing.
Prayer
Dear God help us to remember to always love you and our neighbour and by
doing so help us to always obey your rules.
December 9th
Suggested Reading
Joshua 2 1:21
Reflection
After Moses died, God told Joshua to tall all the people and go to the land that
he had promised them. Two men were sent to look at the land: A woman
called Rahab hid them from those looking to find them and she helped them
escape by lowering a rope outside the city walls. As Rahab had helped them
they agreed to make sure that her family would not be harmed when God’s
people entered the land. Even though it was hard and dangerous Rahab had
the courage to protect the men because she believed in their God.
Prayer
Dear God help us to have the courage to help those in need even though it
may be difficult for us to do so.
December 10th
Suggested Reading
Ruth 1: 1-5; 2:3
Reflection
Naomi’s sons had died and she thought that God had turned against her. One
of her daughters in law, Ruth, refused to leave her and said ‘where ever you go
I will go. Wherever you live I will live. Your people shall be my people and your
God, my God.’ Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem and one day when Ruth
was in the field looking for grains of wheat she met Boaz who was Naomi’s
kinsman When Ruth and Boaz married and had a son Naomi was happy
because she realised that God had not forgotten them. God will never leave us
even if we do not think he is there; he loves us so much that he sent his only
Son to us.
Prayer
Dear God help us to remember that you are always there for us.
December 11th
Suggested Reading
1 Samuel 16: 1-13
Reflection
God told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to see Jesse of Bethlehem
because he had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be a King. Jesse showed Samuel
the sons he thought might be the chosen one but Samuel told him that God
hadn’t chosen any of the sons he had seen. Jesse told him he had another son,
David, who was tending the sheep. He sent for him and when David came God
told Samuel to anoint him. Samuel took the horn and anointed David.
Anointing is a special part of sacraments and is a symbol that God’s spirit is
being given to us and like David it will stay with us.
Prayer
Dear God help us to remember that it is not what we look like but who and
how we are that matters. May your spirit be always with us.
December 12th
Suggested Reading
2 Samuel 5: 1-5
Reflection
The tribes of Israel come to David and anointed him as King of Israel. As a child
David was a shepherd and looked after sheep. When God chose him to be a
King he said to David that he would be the man who will be the Shepherd of
his people, Israel, Just as a shepherd would protect his flock, David, as King,
protected and cared for the people of Israel.
Prayer
Dear God protect and take care of us just as David took care of your people,
Israel.
December 13th
Suggested Reading
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Reflection
The descendents of David did not always follow God and so God sent prophets
to call them back to his ways and remind them of God’s promises. One of these
prophets was Isaiah. The people of Israel had sinned against the Lord and God
allowed their enemies to attack. Isaiah told the people that God would send a
sign as an assurance that they would be delivered- a child would be born who
would be called ‘Wonder Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of
Peace’.
Prayer
Dear God we thank you for the gift of your son Jesus.
December 14th
Suggested Reading
1 Kings 18: 17-24, 36-39
Reflection
Elijah told the people that they had walked away from God and were
worshipping a false God. They went to Mount Carmel and when the prophets
of the false God offered a sacrifice nothing happened. When Elijah, the
prophet of the true God, offered a sacrifice God sent fire as a sign of his
presence. It is easier to believe if we have seen God’s work in action. Let us
remember that he is always with us even though we can’t see him.
Prayer
Dear God we praise you even though we cannot see you as we know you are
the one true God.
December 15th
Suggested Reading
Jonah 3:1-5
Reflection
Jonah was one of God’s prophets but he ran away rather than do what God has
asked him. Even though Jonah was trying to run away from God, God saved
him from the storm by arranging that a whale would swallow Jonah. Jonah
prayed to God and the whale released Jonah to the shore. Jonah went to
Nineveh and did God’s work: the people of Nineveh heard his words and
repented their evil behaviour. When God saw this he forgave them and did not
punish them.
Prayer
Dear God even though we may forget you, you are always there looking after
us. Forgive us when we forget to do your will.
December 16th
Suggested Reading
Isaiah 11: 6-9
Reflection
With the coming of the King the animals will live together just as they had
before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of evil. Just as the animals will live
together in peace and harmony so will mankind: there will be no more wars or
discord: They do no hurt, no harm on my holy mountain, for the country is
filled with the knowledge of God as the waters swell the sea.
Prayer
Dear God as we wait for your coming we pray for peace in the world.
December 17th
Suggested Reading
Micah 5:1-5a
Reflection
Micah was another prophet who God had sent to make another promise to the
people of Israel. He realised that the poor and lowly were God’s chosen ones
and that God had chosen David, a shepherd boy from Bethlehem to be the
King of Israel. He spoke to Bethlehem and promised that another King would
arise from it, this time a King who would rule for ever. Even though Bethlehem
had been given this promise the town was not ready and Jesus was born in a
stable
Prayer
Dear God help us to make our hearts ready in time to celebrate the birth of
Christ.
December 18th
Suggested Reading
Daniel 6: 17-24
Reflection
Daniel had been out in the lion’s den because he refused to stop worshipping
his God. It’s not easy to prove your love for God. Like Rahab it would have
been easier to deny God but Daniel didn’t do this. He trusted in God and God
repaid his love by saving him. The God of Daniel is ‘the Living God which
endures forever, his sovereignty will never be destroyed and his kingship never
ends’
Prayer
Dear God help us to have the strength of Daniel and proclaim you always as
the one true God.
December 19th
Suggested Reading
Habbakuk 2: 1-4
Reflection
It is hard to watch and wait. God tells us that he always keeps his promises no
matter how long it seems for the promises to happen. God promised his
people that he would send a King to save them: the message is repeated
through the stories of the prophets but his people still forgot and weren’t
prepared when Jesus was born. We know that Christmas day is nearly here and
that our waiting will soon be over.
Prayer
Dear God be with us as we wait for the birth of your son.
December 20th
Suggested Reading
Luke 1: 5-25
Reflection
This week we are another step closer to Christmas and the readings take us
through the Christmas story. Like Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth
were good people who believed in God but who were childless. Both Zechariah
and Elizabeth were old and when the Angel told Zechariah that they would
have a son, he wondered how this could happen. Because he doubted the
word of the Lord he would be unable to speak until his son was born. The son
they had was John the Baptist who would go out and prepare the people for
the coming of the Lord
Prayer
Dear God help us not to doubt your promises and give us the courage to
spread your Good News.
December 21st
Suggested Reading
Mathew 3: 1-6
Reflection
Elizabeth and Zechariah's son grew up to be John the Baptist. He was Jesus'
cousin. God chose him to tell the people about Jesus. He went out into the
desert and baptised people so that they would be ready to greet Jesus with
their hearts. He told them that he baptised them with water but One was
coming who would baptise them with the Holy Spirit. When we are baptised it
is a sign that we have joined the family of God and have been given the gift of
the Holy Spirit. Like every family we look forward to cele brating birthdays and
Jesus’ is nearly here!
Prayer
Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan you sent a messenger to prepare
people's hearts for the coming of your Son. Help me to hear his words and
repent of my sins, so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak,
and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
