Advent Activity - The Jesse Tree

University of Dayton ^ | November 2002 | Rev. Johann G. Roten

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The Jesse Tree
Rev. Johann G. Roten, SM

Sometimes called the root of Jesse or radix Jesse in Latin, the Jesse tree is a visual representation of Jesus' genealogy which dates back to the father of David who was Jesse.  The biblical references used habitually to establish Christ's descent from David are the following:

• Isaiah 6,14; 11,1; 53,2
• Num 24,17
• Mat 1,1-16
• Lk 3,23-38
• Rev 22,16

In sacred art Mary is also depicted as part of Christ's family tree named after Jesse.

The Fathers of the Church and Latin hymns refer to the tree of Jesse not only when speaking about the line of David (radix Jesse) but also when speaking of Mary (virga ex radice = branch or offshoot of the root of Jesse) and Jesus (flos ex virga = flower that blossoms on the branch).  Based on these literary sources, the visual rendering of the Jesse tree shows Jesse in reclined and slumbering position, a tree growing out of his body on whose branches a changing and diverse group of ancestors can be observed.

The tree which is patterned after the tree of life in paradise and the cross as the definitive tree of life habitually shows a series of kings of the Solomonic line, or prophets and evangelists.  The top of the tree is composed of Mary, Jesus and angels, sometimes with reference to the gifts of the Spirit.  But variations are frequent. The artistic motif of the Jesse tree is known beginning in the 11th century and seems to have disappeared in the 16th century.  During the time of bloom it found many and diversified ways of realization from illuminations to bronze doors (for example, St. Zeno, Verona).  The example here presented is taken from a psalter of the 13th century, the so-called Ingeborg Psalter (1210) conserved today in Chantilly, Paris.

The tree is highly stylized and of sophisticated ornamentation.  Jesse is lying on his bed more pensive than slumbering.  He wears the typical Jewish hat.  From the mid-section of his body or rather behind it, the trunk of the tree rises to a height of four levels or tiers each once of them in the shape of a chalice.

They show in ascending order [from left to right] Abraham, David, Mary and Jesus Christ.  It is the royal line.  For this reason all figures except Christ wear crowns.

Abraham	David	Mary	Jesus Christ

They are flanked by Old testament figures on both sides.  We have on the left: Malachi standing next to Jesse followed by Daniel and Isaiah in ascending order.

Malachi	Daniel	Isaiah

To the right of Jesse we have Aaron, Ezekiel, and an exception to the group of prophets, a feminine figure which represents the Sybil of Cumae.

Aaron	Ezekiel	Sybil of Cumae

These figures are in all likelihood characters taken from a mystery play, the so called mystery of Rouen.  They present, with the exception of Aaron who is designated as high priest and holds the blooming staff, open scrolls with part of their vision about the coming Savior (not necessarily corresponding to the exact Scripture quote).  The Cumaean Sybil reminds the reader of the finiteness of all creation.  Ezekiel speaks about the closed door (reference to Mary's virginity) through which God alone will proceed.  Malachi proclaims the grandeur of God's name, whereas Daniel in his visions of the four beasts celebrates God's definitive victory over evil.  Isaiah announces the rule of Immanuel.  The dove next to the prophet's head indicates the presence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ, who is enthroned at the top of the tree which, in fact, is not a tree but an edifice symbolizing the house of David, rules as the Pantokrator both blessing (right hand) and judging (book in the left hand).  He is surrounded by two worshiping angels and the seven doves, symbols of the seven gifts of the Spirit: "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 11,2-3).

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ABRAHAM December 1 Symbols: Torch, Sword, Mountain, Tent, Stars Abraham is our father in faith. He is the man of faith and patriarch of Israel with whom God made a covenant which promised him land in which to live and many descendants, a great people for whom the Lord would be their God. Through Abraham God formed the people to whom he would later give the law by revelation through Moses. With the advent of Christ, the people of Israel would serve as the root to which the Gentiles would be grafted by their coming to believe. Recommended Readings: Genesis 12:2-3; 17:4-6

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ISAAC December 2 Symbols: Bundle of Wood, Ram And Isaac was a great type, or symbol of Christ. Both carried up a mount the wood on which they were to be sacrificed. Isaac was the only son of Abraham, Christ was the only begotten son of God. The altar with the slain lamb is a prefigurement of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Recommended Readings: Genesis 22:1-2, 6-13, 15-19

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JACOB December 3 Symbols: Ladder In a vision, Jacob (son of Isaac) saw a ladder reaching from heaven to earth, with angels descending and ascending. Christ, the Incarnate God, is the Ladder reuniting earth to heaven, mankind to God. Recommended Readings: Genesis 28:12-13

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JOSEPH December 4 Symbols: Coat of many Colors, Sheaf, Silver Coins Joseph's brothers were furious that their father favored their younger brother above all of them, and when Jacob gave Joseph an expensive, many-colored coat, they conspired against him. Like Christ, Joseph was sold for silver, but the hand of God led him to become a leader of the nation of Egypt. Later, his brothers, leaders of the Chosen People after their father Jacob, came to Egypt and settled under his rule. The many-colored coat has become the symbol of Joseph, since it was so instrumental in his life. Recommended Readings: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-24, 28; 45:3-13

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MOSES December 5 Symbols: Baby in Basket, Stone Tablets, Burning Bush Moses led the Israelites, the Chosen people, out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Later, he received the Ten Commandments from the hand of God on Mount Sinai. God appeared to Moses in the form of a bush, which burned but was not consumed, a symbol of the Virgin Birth of Christ. The Law of Moses as symbolized in the tablets which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, was fulfilled in Christ who brings a law of love. Recommended Readings: Exodus 31:16-18; 3:2-5

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SAMUEL December 6 Symbols: Lamp, Temple The lamp is a symbol for the Word of God, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet." (Psalm 119:105) Samuel became a prophet, the light of God to His people. Recommended Readings: 1 Kings 3:2-4

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JESSE December 7 Symbols: Crimson Robe, Shepherd's Staff The purple robe is a symbol of royalty and is used for Jesse because he was the father of King David. Jesse was the ancestor of many kings, most importantly the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Recommended Readings: 1 Kings 16:1, 4-5, 11-13

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MARY December 8 Symbols: Lily, Crown of Stars On this holyday of obligation, the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an event that heralds God's choice of Mary to be the Mother of the Redeemer. The Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from any stain of sin, including original sin, from the moment of her conception in her mother's (St. Anne) womb. The Virgin Mary, chosen Mother of the Redeemer, is robed in the splendor of her stainless innocence, and clothed with the beauty of one redeemed in Christ and prepared to receive Him in her womb. Recommended Readings: Revelation 12; Song 4:7

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KING DAVID December 9 Symbols: Six-Pointed Star, Slingshot and 4 Stone, Harp, Crown The six-pointed star is the emblem of the Royal House of David even to this day. Christ, who is born of the House of David, can truly claim this emblem as His own. The crown and scepter signify Christ's universal kingship. Christ is not only the King of the Jewish nation, but the "Desired One of all," the cornerstone which unites both Jew and Gentile. Recommended Readings: 2 Kings 5:3-4; 2:1-7

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KING SOLOMON December 10 Symbols: Scale of Justice, Temple, Crown Solomon is honored in Scripture as the wisest monarch. Though he used a real sword to make his point, he used his wisdom, the sword of justice, to divide truth from lies. God foretold that David's son and heir, Solomon, would be the one to build a temple to the Lord God. Solomon did in fact complete the construction of the temple during his reign. Recommended Readings: 3 Kings 3:23-28; 3 Kings 5:5

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JONAH December 11 Symbols: Whale And Jonah began to enter into the city after one day's journey: and he cried and said: Yet forty days and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. As Jonah remained in the whale three days, so Christ remained three days in the earth after His death. Recommended Readings: Jonah 1:11-15

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JUDITH December 12 Symbols: Scale of Justice, Temple, Crown Judith of the Old Testament, who killed with a sword the leader of the Assyrian army, saved the Israelite nation. She prefigures Mary the Mother of Jesus, whose "Fiat" brought salvation to all mankind. Recommended Readings: Judith 13:1-28

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ISAIAH December 13 Symbols: Burning Coal Isaiah's lips were impure from sin, and he realized this imperfection. Yet, he trusted the Lord to purify him. One of the seraphim, in a symbolic action, took a coal from the altar and touched his lips to cleanse them. Isaiah became a great prophet for the Lord, proclaiming the coming of a Messiah that would be a king, but also a suffering servant. Recommended Readings: Isaiah 6:5-8; 40:10-11; 62:1-3

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THE ANNUNCIATION December 14 Symbols: Lily Of Jesse's lineage was the Virgin Mary. Into her chamber came the Spirit of the Most High. That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him, in the dispensation of the fullness of times, to re-establish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him. —Eph. 1:9-10 V. The angel of the Lord brought the message to Mary. R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. The lily is a symbol of Our Lady's purity, though becoming a mother she remained a virgin. Recommended Readings: Luke 1:26-38

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THE VISITATION December 15 Symbols: Our Lady's Slipper "Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come; the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. The fig tree has put forth her green figs; the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come. My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, show me your face. Let your voice sound in my ears, for your voice is sweet, and your face comely." — Song of Solomon 2:13-17 Recommended Readings: Luke 1:39-56

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JOHN THE BAPTIST December 16 Symbols: Shell The shell with three water drops is a symbol of baptism generally, and particularly of the baptism of Christ. The three droplets remind us of the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — into which Christians are baptized. The shell alone may also be used as a symbol for pilgrimage, and is often used as an emblem for saints known for their travels or whose shrines have become destinations for pilgrims. Recommended Readings: Matthew 3:1-12

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This is the last thing for your Jesse Tree. Why?

Because the One to Come is Jesus Chirst our Lord!

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BTTT for the Jesse Tree in 2006!

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Another idea for the Jesse Tree is Scripture Readings for each night!

Table of Scripture Readings for the Story

Date	Persons	Events/Themes	Scripture	Symbols
First Sunday	Introduction of the Jesse Tree		1 Sam 16:1-13 Isa 11:1-10	The Tree
Mon Wk 1	God	Creation	Gen 1:1-2:3	Dove
Tues Wk 1	Adam and Eve	The First Sin	Gen 2:4-3:24	Tree with Fruit or Apple
Wed Wk 1	Noah	The Flood	Gen 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17	Rainbow or Ark
Thur Wk 1	Abraham	The Promise	Gen 12:1-7, 15:1-6	Field of Stars
Friday Wk 1	Isaac	Offering of Isaac	Gen 22:1-19	Ram
Sat Wk 1	Jacob	Assurance of the  Promise	Gen 27:41-28:22	Ladder
Second Sunday	Joseph	God's Providence	Gen 37, 39:1-50:21	Sack of Grain or Coat
Mon Wk 2	Moses	God's Leadership	Exod 2:1-4:20	Burning Bush
Tues Wk 2	Israelites	Passover and Exodus	Exod 12:1-14:31	Lamb
Wed Wk 2	God	Giving the Torah at Sinai	Exod 19:1-20:20	Tablets of the Torah
Thur Wk 2	Joshua	The Fall of Jericho	Josh 1:1-11, 6:1-20	Ram's Horn Trumpet
Fri Wk 2	Gideon	Unlikely Heroes	Judg 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28	Clay Water Pitcher
Sat Wk 2	Samuel	The Beginning of the Kingdom	1 Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9	Crown
Third Sunday	David	A Shepherd for the People	1 Sam 16:1-23-17:58, 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17	Shepherd's Crook or Harp
Mon Wk 3	Elijah	The Threat of False Gods	1 Kng 17:1-16, 18:17-46	Stone Altar
Tues Wk 3	Hezekiah	Faithfulness and Deliverance	2 Kng 18:1-19:19, 32-37	An Empty Tent
Wed Wk 3	Isaiah	The Call to Holiness	Isa 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7	Fire Tongs with Hot Coal
Thur Wk 3	Jeremiah	The Exile	Jer 1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22-9:1-11	Tears
Fri Wk 3	Habakkuk	Waiting	Hab 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19	Stone Watchtower
Sat Wk 3	Nehemiah	Return and Rebuilding	Neh 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-22	City Wall
Fourth Sunday	John the Baptist	Repentance	Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30	Scallop Shell
Mon Wk 4	Mary	The Hope for a  Future	Luke 1:26-38	White Lily
Tues Wk 4	Elizabeth	Joy	Luke 1:39-56	Mother and Child
Wed Wk 4	Zechariah	Anticipation	Luke 1:57-80	Pencil and Tablet
Thurs Wk 4	Joseph	Trust	Matt 1:19-25	Carpenter's Square or Hammer
Fri Wk 4	Magi	Worship	Matt 2:1-12	Star or Candle
Dec 24	Jesus	Birth of the Messiah	Luke 2:1-20	Manger
Dec 25	Christ	The Son of God	John 1:1-18	Chi-Rho Symbol

 

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MAKING JESSE TREE ORNAMENTS

 

Use the circle shapes as a template to cut around the above symbols or print out several circles and attach symbols to the circles.

JESSE TREE SCRIPTURES

(The symbols are only suggestions)

December 1
Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4
Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth

December 2
Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24
Symbols: tree, man, woman

December 3
Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24
Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite

December 4
Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22
Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow

December 5
Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3
Symbols: torch, sword, mountain

December 6
Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14
Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush

December 7
Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15
Symbols: kettle, ladder

December 8
Joseph: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15
Symbols: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic

December 9
Moses: Ex. 2:1-10
Symbols: baby in basket, river and rushes

December 10
Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18
Symbols: lamp, temple

December 11
Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13
Symbols: crimson robe, shepherd's staff

December 12
David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51
Symbols: slingshot, 6-pointed star

December 13
Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28
Symbols: scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword

December 14
Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25
Symbols: hammer, saw, chisel, angle

December 15
Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
Symbols: lily, crown of stars, pierced heart

December 16
John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8
Symbols: shell with water, river

On December 17, the Church begins to intensify the preparation for Christmas with the use of the "O" Antiphons during the Liturgy of the Hours. The symbols for the Jesse Tree from December 17 to 23 are based on the "O" Antiphons.

December 17
Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) 24:2; Wisdom 8:1
Symbols: oil lamp, open book

December 18
Jesus is Lord: Ex. 3:2; 20:1
Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets

December 19
Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3
Symbols: flower, plant with flower

December 20
Jesus is Key of David: Isaiah 22:22
Symbols: key, broken chains

December 21
Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (in older Bibles this will be Psalm 18)
Symbols: sun rising or high in sky

December 22
Jesus is King of the Gentiles: Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20
Symbols: crown, scepter

December 23
Jesus is Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 33:22
Symbols: tablets of stone, chalice and host

December 24
Jesus is Light of the World: John 1:1-14
Symbols: candle, flame, sun