Ideas for a Jesse Tree Advent Calendar
Family Craft Project for Religious Christmas Tradition
Dec 6, 2008
A Jesse tree is a special Advent calendar that includes specific biblical scriptures beginning in the Old Testament and continuing through to the birth of Jesus Christ. Special symbols represent each scripture and are added to the tree to build a visual representation of religious aspects of the Christmas holiday.
A Jesse Tree Craft Project Advent Calendar
A Jesse tree may be a small evergreen tree, a bare, multi-forked branch in a decorative pot, or a drawing of a tree on stiff cardboard. The tree becomes the base for the decorative symbols added throughout the countdown to Christmas. The tree symbolizes the genealogical associations between the family of David and Jesus Christ. Families can create their own Jesse tree from materials on hand. Perhaps an extra branch cut from the base of the Christmas tree, a small artificial tree, or a bare branch gathered from the garden could be used. A large piece of felt or cardboard could serve as a banner on which to draw a tree shape.
The Scriptural References for the Jesse Tree Christmas Calendar
The scriptural references are easily found on several internet sites serving the Catholic community. These references can be found in any standard Bible and proceed in chronological order from the Old Testament through the New Testament, ending with the birth of Christ. In order to get through the 28 scriptural references before the 25th of December families often begin the Jesse tree building process on the 27th of November.
Symbol Ornament Crafts to Add to the Jesse Tree Calendar
Ornaments need not be fancy as they serve as symbolic reminders of the scriptural references. Simple paper images can be printed from several sites. Or, families may wish to create simple real object ornaments. Some symbols such as stars, crosses, or a shell might be simple to gather or create. Some families work together by dividing the work of creating the symbols. Each family might be responsible for creating multiple ornaments of only 5 of the symbols. The family keeps one of each ornament and shares the extras with the other families who also made extra ornaments of alternate symbols. In this way the work of the craft is simplified and families can focus on the process of building their Jesse Tree.
Through the busy holiday season families can enjoy a quiet family scripture moment each day as they work to construct a beautiful Christmas decoration, the Jesse Tree.
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