The Sunday School's Jesse Tree

On Sunday, December 1, the Sunday School will be decorating a Jesse Tree. A Jesse tree is an Advent tradition that focuses Hebrew Bible stories of the individuals who are part of Jesus’ family tree. The tradition comes from Isaiah 11: 1: “A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of David and Jesus is descended from the line of David. Christians believe that Jesus is the branch, or new growth, foretold by Isaiah. Usually, a Jesse Tree is constructed from leaf-less branch to reinforce the idea of Christ’s coming bringing new life. Ornaments symbolizing the stories and ancestors that shaped Jesus are hung on the branches. Over the autumn, our children have been learning about a number of characters from the Hebrew Bible so this Advent tradition will help to reinforce those stories. You will see the Jesse Tree in the Sanctuary throughout Advent.