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THE JESSE TREE

One popular tradition is making a Jesse tree, which helps us to connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to ’ birth. We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent people, prophesies, and events that recall ’s promise and its fulfillment. With a focus on figures, the Jesse tree is a particularly good activity for sixth graders studying salvation history. It’s also great for any junior high or older group wanting to review the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of his- tory.

The Jesse Tree: 1st Week of Advent by James Campbell, D Min

The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithful- ness of God across four thousand years of history.

Sunday of the First Week: The Jesse Tree

The Jesse tree was created to help people link the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading up to Jesus birth. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees actually predates the arrival of in western Europe and was adopted by the early Church. In order to associate the custom more clearly with Christianity, people made Jesse trees—Christmas trees with decora- tions related to the events of Jesus’ birth and the prophecies about him in the Old Testament. Many parishes and families make Jesse trees during Ad- vent to remind them of these events as they pre- pare for Christmas.

The story of Jesse, the father of , is told in 11:1-10. David’s story is found in 1 16:1-13. Monday o the First Week: and Eve Ornament: Tree with Fruit or Apple

Adam and Eve and the First Sin Genesis 3 tells how Adam and Eve’s intimacy with God and with each other is disrupted. The serpent enters the scene. The serpent represents anything that can separate a person from God. The woman, with the man as her silent partner, speaks to the serpent. They examine the possibility of disobeying God. Will Adam and Eve accept God’s moral order and trust in his love?

Adam and Eve — Genesis 2:4-24 The Fall of Adam and Eve — Genesis 3

Tuesday of the First Week: Ornament: Rainbow or Ark

Noah and the Flood The story of Noah is told to illustrate how deeply the human family has fallen into sinfulness. Sin is now so universal that a troubled God decides to complete the work of destruction that the human family has begun (Genesis 6:13). However, God sees that Noah is a good man and decides that humanity will survive through Noah’s family. God tells Noah to build an ark, which God will use to save Noah’s family and members of the animal kingdom. God is pained by and disappointed in humankind, but in his mercy he will save the human family through Noah.

Noah and the Flood— Genesis 6-9

Wednesday of the First Week: Ornament: Field of Stars

Abraham and the Covenant

Abraham stands before God, facing the future. God had promised that Abraham would be the father of many descendants, but his wife, Sarah, seems unable to have children. So Abraham believes he will die childless and that his steward, Eliezer, will be his heir. God assures Abraham that this will not happen, promising Abraham that he will have a son with Sa- rah. More than that, the descendants of Abraham will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

The Call of Abraham — Genesis 12 God’s Covenant with Abraham — Genesis 15 Thursday of the First Week: Ornament:

Abraham and the Offering of Isaac Then, unexpectedly, God sends an angel with the mes- sage that Abraham must sacrifice his son Isaac. As bitter as the message is, and as hopeless as it makes Abraham feel, he obeys without hesitation. He gathers his servants and Isaac with wood for the sacrifice and sets out to the appointed place. The last part of the way he goes alone with Isaac, who is made to carry the wood for his own sacrifice. On the way, Isaac asks his father what animal will be sacrificed. Abraham answers that God will provide.

Abraham and Isaac — Genesis 22

Friday of the First Week: Ornament: Ladder Jacob’s Dream While on his journey, Jacob arrives at a certain place and rests there, using a stone for a pillow. In a dream, he receives a divine revelation. He sees a ladder, or per- haps a ramp, going up from earth to heaven. The shape of Jacob’s vision may have been inspired by the shape of the ziggurats of Babylon, which had ramps going up their sides to the place where the deity was said to dwell. On the ramp in Jacob’s dream are angels, roaming up and down, patrolling the earth and reporting back to God. In his vision, Jacob meets God. God confirms the covenant made to Abra- ham and to Isaac that their ancestors will be as plentiful as the dust on the ground and will spread from east to west. Jacob will also receive God’s protection wher- ever he goes.

Jacob and Esau — Genesis 25:19-34; 27 Jacob’s Vision of God — Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob Returns to the Land of His Fathers — Genesis 31-33

Saturday of the First Week: Joseph Ornament: Coat of Many Colors

Joseph and God’s Providence Pharaoh has Joseph brought before him. Joseph hears the dreams and correctly in- terprets their meaning. The seven fat cows and stalks of grain are seven years in which harvests will be abundant and the cows will be fat. The next seven years will be a period of famine. After interpreting the dreams, Joseph advises that Pharaoh ap- point someone to oversee the harvesting and ensure that enough grain is saved in the first seven years to help Egypt survive the seven years of famine. Pharaoh agrees and appoints Joseph vizier, second in authority only to Pharaoh himself, to carry out the plan. Joseph marries an Egyptian woman and has two sons. The first he Manasseh (“forgotten”), to show that his previous suffering has been forgotten. The

Joseph and His Brothers — Genesis 37 Joseph and Pharaoh — Genesis 39-41 Joseph and His Brothers Are Reconciled — Genesis 42-45 The Jesse Tree: 2nd Week of Advent by James Campbell, D Min

The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.

Sunday of the Second Week: Moses Ornament: Burning Bush God Calls Moses God answers Moses, “I am who I am” (Yahweh). Other meanings of God’s answer can be “I come to be all that exists” and “I cause to be all that happens.” God seems to be saying that God will come in his own time and will not be controlled by Moses. God will be who he will be. He came to save the people because it is his choice. “And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the , “ The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will

show mercy’” (Exodus 33:19). The Birth of Moses — Exodus 1-2 Moses Meets God in the Burning Bush — Exodus 3 Pharaoh’s Contest with God — Exodus 5-6

Monday of the Second Week The Ornament: Lamb

Passover and Exodus Moses gathers the people. He orders that a lamb be sacrificed and the blood of the lamb be put on the doorframes of the houses. This will be a sign to God to “pass over” the houses of the Hebrews. That night the Hebrews eat roasted lamb and unleavened bread, preparing for the jour- ney. Egyptian houses are filled with mourning, “for there was not a house without someone dead” (Exodus 12:30). Pharaoh, finally con- vinced that he cannot defeat God, lets the people go.

Passover — Exodus 11-13 Journey to the Sea — Exodus 14:1-15:21 Testing in the Desert — Exodus 15:22-17:16 Tuesday of the Second Week: Moses and Aaron Ornament: Tablets of the Torah

God Gives the People the Law When Moses and Aaron go up on Mount Sinai, God first reminds them of what he has done for them: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slav- ery” (Exodus 20:2). He then tells them what they need to do in order to live in relationship with God and one another. We call these in- structions the Ten Commandments.

The Hebrews Meet God at Sinai — Exodus 19 The Ten Commandments — Exodus 20:1-11

Wednesday of the Second Week: Joshua Ornament: Ram’s Horn Trumpet

Joshua and the Fall of Jericho Joshua led the Hebrew people from success to success in conquering the land of Canaan. The biblical writer attributes this to his obedience and faithfulness to God. The Canaanite people were defeated, their cities were destroyed, and the spoils of war were offered to God. Like Moses, Joshua was successful until his death, at the age of 110, the same age of Joseph at his death.

Rahab and the Fall of Jericho — Joshua 2; 6 Joshua Renews the Covenant — Joshua 23-24

Thursday of the Second Week Gideon Ornament: Clay Water Pitcher

Gideon’s Unlikely Victory Gideon, a farmer, is threshing his wheat in a winepress so that he can hide it from the Midianites. When God tells him that he will lead the Hebrew people against their enemies, Gideon ridicules the idea. He tells God that God aban- doned the people and does not seem prepared to keep his promises. God is not put off; he gives the task to Gideon and promises that he will be with him. Gide- on does not think much of God’s choice, as his tribe is among the smallest. God, of course, realizes this. God wants to emphasize that when victory comes, it comes from God. The Hebrew people will never win if they depend on them- selves. Gideon’s Small Army — Judges 6-8 Friday of the Second Week: Ornament: Grain

Ruth’s Faithfulness is troubled, knowing that she cannot stay in with no one to protect her. She decides to return to and tells her daughters-in-law to return to the protection of their own families. One daughter-in-law, Orpah, returns to her family. The other, Ruth, stays with Naomi and asks not to be separated from her. Ruth remains faithful to Naomi and goes into the fields to glean among the barley. (After the grain was harvested, the poor were permitted to go into the fields to gatherany grain that was left behind.) While Ruth is working in the fields, she meets , the landowner, who is attracted to her and hears her story. Moved in his heart, he tells his workers to make sure that Ruth has plenty of grain to gather. Naomi and Ruth — Ruth

Saturday of the Second Week: Samuel Ornament: Crown

Samuel and the Beginning of the Kingdom is a member of the tribe of , the smallest of the tribes. He is described as handsome and tall, a man of substance. His father, a wealthy man, loses a number of donkeys. Saul goes in search of them but cannot find them. Told of a holy man in a nearby town, Saul goes to see him to ask if he can help Saul find the donkeys. Samuel is in the shrine of the town, conducting the sacrifices. When Samuel sees Saul, he realizes that Saul is the man God has told him about in a dream. God told Samuel that Saul is the man who will help free the people from the . God Calls to Samuel — 1 Samuel 3 Samuel and Saul — 1 Samuel 10-12

The Jesse Tree: 3rd Week of Advent By James Campbell, D Min

The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of

Sunday of the Third Week: David Ornament: Shepherd’s Crook or Harp

David, a Shepherd to the People David was a great poet and a person of deep, yet flawed, spirituality. He is credited with a heartfelt song of faith in God for his continued protection (2 Samuel 22). In this song, David describes God as a rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn, stronghold, and refuge. God’s actions in David’s life are like the mighty forces of nature aiding him: breakers surge and floods overwhelm; the earth sways and shakes, trembles and quakes. David’s enemies flee and are destroyed, ground into the dust and trampled. God’s commitment to David will not end, though David is unfaithful in many ways. God’s covenant love is steadfast and enduring.

The Young David — 1 Samuel 16-17 — 1 Samuel 18 Saul and David — 1 Samuel 24; 28 David the King — 2 Samuel 5-6 David, Bathsheba, and Nathan — 2 Samuel 11-12 David’s Later Years — 2 Samuel 19-24

Monday of the Third Week: Elijah

Ornament. Stone Altar

Elijah Fights the False God now calls Elijah to confront Ahab and pagan gods. He is going into enemy territory: Jezebel is killing off the of . In spite of the danger, Elijah is not put off. When he meets with the king, Ahab calls Elijah the “troubler of Israel.” Elijah responds by challenging the priests of Baal and Asherah to a contest with the God of Israel.

Elijah is Fed by God — 1 Kings 17 Elijah Confronts Baal — 1 Kings 18 Tuesday of the Third Week: Hezekiah Ornament: An Empty Tent

The Reign of Hezekiah Ahaz was not faithful to God, engaging in such contemptible practices as sacrificing one of his sons in the Canaanite way (2 Kings 16:1-4). When Ahaz died, he was replaced by his sur- viving son, Hezekiah. Hezekiah tried to make up for his father’s unfaithfulness.

Reign of Hezekiah — 2 Kings 18–19

Wednesday of the Third Week: Isaiah Ornament: Fire Tongs with Hot Coal

Isaiah and the Call to Holiness In response, one of the seraphs flies to Isaiah with a live coal taken from the altar and touches his lips with it, declaring that his guilt has departed. Isaiah then hears the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And Isaiah replies, “Here am I; send me!” (:8).

Isaiah’s Vision — Isaiah 6 Isaiah’s Message — -2 A Savior Will Come — ; 11

Thursday of the Third Week: Jeremiah Ornament: Tears

Jeremiah the Jeremiah teaches that the people cannot pray faithfully if they continue to oppress the immigrants, the orphans, and the widows. They have to stop shedding innocent blood (some practiced human sacrifice), and they must act justly toward one another. “Here you are, trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are safe!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? You know, I too

Jeremiah’s Temple Sermon — Jeremiah 7; 26 Jeremiah Speaks Against Jerusalem — Jeremiah 28 Sorrow for the Fall of — Lamentations 1 Jeremiah’s Message of Hope — Jeremiah 29; 31 Friday of the Third Week Habakkuk Ornament: Stone Watchtower

Habakkuk: Patient Waiting Acknowledging that he does not understand God’s will, Habakkuk stands ready to hear what God has planned. God assures Habakkuk that no matter what seems to be happening on the surface, God’s ultimate plan for the Judeans who live in faith- fulness will not be delayed. “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). The Sack of Jerusalem and the Fall of Judah — 2 Kings 24-25

Saturday of the Third Week: Nehemiah Ornament: City Wall

Nehemiah: Reform and Renewal After persuading the king to let him return to Judah, Nehemiah was named governor and given permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When he arrived in Jerusalem, Nehemiah rallied the people and rebuilt or restored the walls in fifty-two days. However, he realized that the people were spiritually lax and must also be rebuilt. Ezra read the Law to the people and helped them understand its demands. Ezra and Nehemiah — Nehemiah 8-9

The Jesse Tree: 4th Week of Advent by James Campbell, D Min

The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history. We’ve included people and ornaments for each day during a long Advent season of 28 days. When the season is shorter, you may wish to use some of these stories during the third week of Advent.

Sunday of the Fourth Week: John the Baptist Ornament: Scallop Shell

John the Baptist Jesus had immense respect for John the Baptist saying: “Among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). John was called by God to be a prophet and prepared him- self to follow this call. Dedication to a goal means some reevaluation of priorities. John apparently wanted to be free of any obligations except getting ready to proclaim the coming of the . He wanted people to know that the time for the Messiah to come was near. This meant that their priorities in life needed to be reconsidered. When we realize that we are being called to a new life in Christ, we have to consider what sac- rifices we are going to be called to make to change our lives. While we will not be called to the extremes that

John the Baptist was, we also need to recognize that life has to be different if we are going to be faithful.

John the Baptist Preaches Repentance — :1–6 Messengers from John the Baptist — Matthew 11:2–11

Monday of the Fourth Week: Mary Ornament: White Lily

The Annunciation When we think of heroes in Scripture, Mary, the mother of Jesus, does not usually come to mind. But con- sider the risks she was taking when she said yes to becoming the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:38). She was a young girl of about sixteen years old living in a small village where every secret is known and every fault is criticized. She lived in an occupied land and could be subject to any command from the occupying army. She faced an unknown future. The experience of speaking to God’s messenger must have been ter- rifying in itself. It is perhaps fitting that we consider Mary our greatest hero, leader, champion, and saint. Her decision made it possible for us to discover what it means to live in Jesus.

The Annunciation — Luke 1:26–38 Tuesday of the Fourth Week: Elizabeth Ornament: Mother and Child Mary Visits Elizabeth After the angel left Mary, she immediately went to see her cousin Elizabeth. Mary had learned from Gabriel that Elizabeth would soon have a son who would grow up to be John the Baptist. As Mary comes into her presence, Elizabeth experiences the Holy Spirit filling her life. She calls out to Mary the words of blessing we repeat with every Hail Mary; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). Elizabeth then asks, “And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (Luke 1:43). These recall the words of King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem, “How can the ark of the Lord come into my care?” (2 Samuel 6:9) Just as the Ark of the Covenant symbol- ized the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, Mary’s visit sanctifies Elizabeth’s home with the presence of the Lord.

The Visitation — Luke 1:39-45

Wednesday of the Fourth Week: Zechariah Ornament: Pencil and Tablet His Name Is John When the angel revealed to aged Zechariah that he would have a son, Zechariah asked for proof. As a result, he was silenced. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived their first child. Elizabeth was grateful to God, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people” (Luke 1:25). When their son was born, Eliza- beth said that he would be called John (“the Lord is gracious”). Elizabeth’s relatives objected, as no other family members had the name. Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote “His name is John.” (Luke 1:63) Then Zechariah immediately spoke, blessing and praising God. The relatives were filled with awesome reverence over God’s wonderful deeds. Zechariah then proclaimed the prayer which we know from its Latin name the Benedictus. Every morning the Church blesses the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited and set the people free. In this prayer—found in Luke 1:68–

79—are the perfect words to prepare us to welcome the celebration of the coming of Jesus.

The Birth of John — Luke 1:57–66 The Canticle of Zechariah — Luke 1:68–79

Thursday of the Fourth Week: Joseph Ornament: Carpenter’s Square or Hammer

Joseph, Do Not Be Afraid What a wonderful father Joseph was for Jesus. We first meet Joseph in :18-25 as he con- templates how to deal with Mary’s pregnancy. Joseph is an honest, caring man who does not want to embarrass Mary, so he intends to quietly divorce her. Imagine his wonderment and joy as he heard from the angel the good news and true identity of Jesus. Joseph continued his caring in times of dan- ger as they escaped to Egypt. Luke speaks of his concern for Jesus when they finally found him in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52). Along the way it is Joseph who had primary responsibility for Jesus’ religious education. He would also be the one to teach Jesus the fundamentals of carpentry. In his faithful lis-

tening and open heart, Joseph is a model for all to understand and love Jesus whose birth we prepare to celebrate.

An Angel Appears to Joseph — Matthew 1:18–25 Friday of the Fourth Week: Jesus Ornament: Manger

Born in Humble Circumstances Luke connects Jesus’ birth to the world-wide stage. The Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus (63 B.C.–14 A.D.) was praised as savior and bringer of peace, which he accomplished by defeating his enemies. Luke contrasts Augustus’s accomplishments with Jesus the Savior. While the world looks to the political center for peace, Luke tells us to look at the outskirts of the empire. Jesus is born in humble circumstances. He is wrapped in swaddling clothes as a sign of his humanity. Jesus is laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, as a sign that Jesus is to be food for the world. The Gospel of Luke is especially concerned for the poor, the outcast, those on the margins of society. This concern is never more apparent than in the proclamation of the Savior to the shepherds (Luke 2:8- 14). Shepherds lived on the margins and were not well respected by society, yet they are the first to hear of the Messiah. They were also the first to step out in faith to celebrate his birth. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth this Christmas season, we will be fol- lowing in the footsteps of the shepherds. Like Mary, we will have much to reflect upon in our hearts. The Birth of Jesus — Luke 2:1–20

Saturday of the Fourth Week: Christ Ornament: Chi-Rho

In the Beginning Was the Word When we celebrate Mass on Christmas, the Gospel readings change depending on the time of the Mass. For the Christmas Vigil Mass on the evening of December 24, the reading is from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-25), beginning with the genealogy tracing Jesus’ ancestry in the Old Testament and ending with the revelation to Joseph. For Midnight Mass and the Mass at Dawn, the traditional readings are from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:1-20). At the Mass for Christmas day, the reading is from John 1:1-34. In the first readings the narrative carries us along into the mystery of Jesus’ birth. The text from John calls us to meditate on the meaning of the stories we have heard. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). When we are reflecting on Jesus Christ, we are reflecting on God, and through him has come all lifeJohn ( 1:3-4). In Jesus, God has become one of us, made his dwelling among us, pitched his tent in our midst. When we enter into relationship with Jesus Christ, we enter into the heart of God. When we share the love Jesus has won for us, we share the heart of God with one another. The wonder of Christmas reflects this for us and is the gift we bring for one another.

The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus — Matthew 1:1–25 The Birth of Jesus and the Visit of the Shepherds — Luke 2:1–20 In the Beginning Was the Word — John 1:1–18