104: What is a Jesse Tree?

The Jesse tree is a traditional and popular way of connecting the Advent season with the history of God's faithfulness across the Old Testament.

There isn't an official set of ornaments or events for the Jesse tree, and you will find many different combinations online.

The ornaments vary based on the number of days in Advent which can vary from 22 to 28 days.

The Jesse tree is a traditional and popular way of connecting the Advent season with the history of God's faithfulness across the Old Testament. The ornaments on the Jesse tree tell the story of God over a span of four thousand years leading up to the birth of Jesus.

The custom of decorating Christmas trees is a pre-Christian tradition that was adopted by the early Church. In order to associate the custom more closely with Christianity, people began to make Jesse trees, which are Christmas trees decorated with ornaments related to the events of Jesus’ birth and the prophecies about him in the Old Testament. Many parishes and families make Jesse trees during Advent to remind themselves of these events as they prepare for Christmas.

There isn't an official set of ornaments or events for the Jesse tree, and you will find many different combinations online. Also, Advent can vary from 22 up to 28 days. So, You should find what works best for you and your family. If you'd like to follow along with our list, here are the days and ornaments. We've also provided a printout on this page.

First week of Advent
Sunday: Creation (World ornament)
Mon: Adam & Eve (Apple ornament)
Tues: Noah (Ark ornament)
Wed: Abraham (Starry Sky ornament)
Thurs: Isaac (Ram ornament)
Fri: Jacob (Ladder ornament)
Sat: Joseph (Colorful Coat ornament)

Second Week of Advent
Sunday: Moses (Ten Commandments ornament)
Mon: Israelites (Tent or Shaddai ornament)
Tue: Joshua (ram's horn ornament)
Wed: Ruth (grain ornament)
Thu: Samuel (Lamp ornament)
Fri: David (Harp ornament)
Sat: King David (shepherd staff or crown ornament)

Third Week of Advent
Sun: Solomon (gold crown or temple ornament)
Mon: Elijah (Raven ornament)
Tue: Isaiah (Tongs and Hot Coals ornament)
Wed: Esther (A Heart or Staff ornament)
Thu: Nehemiah (a wall or church ornament)
Fri: Prophecy of Christ (the sky at dawn ornament)
Sat: Zechariah (censer or jewish priest ornament)

Fourth Week of Advent
Sun: Prophecy to Mary (angel)
Mon: Virgin Mary (lily)
Tue: Elizabeth (two women)
Wed: John the Baptist (shell)
Thu: Joseph (carpenter tools)
Fri: Magi (star)
Sat: Nativity (manger with baby Jesus)