The story of the Jesse tree

We revive a different kind of tradition

This year we are displaying a Jesse tree in the foyer of the church for our Advent preparation. The Jesse Tree originates from the scripture in Isaiah 11:1 "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." This speaks of Jesse, the father of King David, and foretells the coming of Jesus through the House of David. Jesus' lineage is told again in the the New Testament Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Jesse Tree is essentially Jesus' family tree.

There are many depictions of the Jesse tree in Christian art dating back to medieval times. It usually depicts the sleeping figure of Jesse lying at the base of the tree with the main branch springing from his side. The branches, often leafless, wind upwards with images of the prophets and Jesus' forebears, or symbols depicting them. Sometimes seven doves appear among the branches or with Jesus himself, to represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of the most famous images of a Jesse tree is a stained glass window at Chartres Cathedral in northern France.

A Jesse tree is traditionally a leafless branch placed in a pot of earth and decorated with symbols representing Jesus spiritual heritage and God's promise of salvation. Many people make one at home and use it as a point of devotion during Advent. Each day a new symbol is hung from the branches representing the leaves. The meaning of the symbols can be the centre of your devotion for that day to remember the promise of God's salvation for which the Jews waited thousands of years, and which we now celebrate.

There can be as many as 43 symbols used, representing the generations of Jesus' family until his birth. The first symbol, for creation and Adam and Eve, is hung on the first day of Advent; and the last symbol, Jesus, is hung on Christmas morning. Mary's symbol is always hung directly beneath Jesus on Christmas Eve and the remaining symbols are hung in order of their timeline throughout the Old and New Testaments.

We have chosen 25 symbols to represent Advent. In the Children's Address each week, four of the symbols will be explained. Make a note to look for the these symbols each week and reflect back on the ones from earlier weeks.

the Visual Arts team