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Theresa
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I love the felt Jesse tree symbols that are being shared on websites. I would love to do one with my children but I am curious to know if this is traditionally a Catholic custom or is it something that one of any faith could do? Not that it really makes a big difference as I think we are going to do it anyway but was just curious.
Also, for those that have made a Jesse Tree before, how did you do yours?
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Theresa
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isjalu0826
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I know we learned about it way back in the 60's in school, which would make me think it's a Catholic custom, but I don't see why people of other Christian faiths couldn't use it as well----it's all about the Bible, and it's the same Bible, no?
In the past, we've done the Jesse tree using paper illustrations and coloring them and putting them on a small tree. But the most recent Faith and Family had some lovely ideas of how to make actual ornaments for each symbol that I'd love to try (e.g. they used a rainbow colored ribbon to make Joseph's coat of many colors)...
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aiereis
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I first heard about it from Protestants. In fact, I didn't even know that Catholics did it until a couple years ago. Searching online, I have found a couple different Protestant sites that give directions for it. I think their symbols might be slightly different, such as leaving Mary out and using another symbol instead.
Christina
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JennGM
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The Tree of Jesse is biblical in origin, so I wouldn't really call it uniquely Catholic. The origins are medieval, as you can read
here and here. Do a Google image search for Jesse Tree (window) to see the fabulous stained glass and art forms of the tree of Jesse.
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JennGM
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You might find some good information in this thread on the Jesse Tree, including ordering information for ornaments.
Also this thread and this thread
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Theresa
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So the felt ornaments were ordered online? I was under the impression that they were made with the children... I am hoping to include the children in the construction of the tree and ornaments. My children tend to take to heart the things that they handle and create themselves.
Also... I seem to be finding a variation in the number or ornaments so I'm a little confused... can someone claarify that?
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JennGM
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Theresa in MN wrote:
So the felt ornaments were ordered online? I was under the impression that they were made with the children... I am hoping to include the children in the construction of the tree and ornaments. My children tend to take to heart the things that handle and create themselves.
Also... I seem to be finding a variation in the number or ornaments so I'm a little confused... can someone claarify that? |
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No, the ornaments are from a kit, that you make the banner and ornaments. Send me a PM with your email and I'll forward the picture and information I received.
There is no set Jesse Tree. You can make as many or as few as you want, and the symbols, persons, types all vary to interpretation. It can be daunting if you're trying to choose and make up your own list. If you wanted to have a book like The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean to follow along, you would want to make figures according to that book.
The possibilities are endless. 
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MaryM
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I think it is a great activity and symbol for families of any Christian faith who want to bring this symbolism into their homes in preparation during Advent.
I'm not really sure of the timeline for these modern versions of a Jesse Tree. The depiction of Christ's royal genealogical heritage in Catholic art is very old. For example the Chartres Cathedral has a beautiful stained glass window, dated 1145 A.D., that depicts the "Jesse Tree." (see below)
Early representations of the Jesse tree are also found in the Church's art, medieval manuscripts and mystery plays. Jesse is usually portrayed in a reclining position, with a tree growing from his side or belly button and on the branches are the kings of Israel, the ancestors of Jesus. At the top of the tree is Jesus.
Catholic Culture website has a very nice summary of the history and use of this symbol here. I think it would help to understand this practice and origins.
The modern use of a Jesse Tree would be a continuation of this into the home or domestic church. It is then simply the Advent custom of using a collection of symbols that portray the fact that Jesus has come, as predicted, from the root of Jesse. These symbols can be hung on a small, literal tabletop-sized tree, or on a branch brought in from outside. They can be hung on small artificial trees made of wood or metals, or on two-dimensional wooden trees. We have always done ours stressing the scriptural history of the world, but I have seen that it can also be done stressing the scriptural propehecy and typology.
A few more examples of historic depictions of the Jesse Tree in art:
Jesse Tree window - Germany 14th century
Abbey of St. Werburgh carving - England 14th century
Benedictine Abbey Church of Saint-Denis window - France, 12th century
Church of Notre Dame de la Grande frieze - France, middle ages
Illuminated Manuscript Tree of Jesse - Germany, 13th century
Illuminated Manuscript - France, 13th century
Illuminated manuscript - Germany, 12th century
Illuminated manuscript - 16th century
Silver-gilt covered Gospel book - Greece, 17th century
Ivory panel - Germany, 13th century?
Girolamo Genga painting - Italy, 16th century
Jan Mostaert painting of The Tree of Jesse - 15th century
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MaryM
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Okay - so this frequently happens to me, while I work (ever so slowly) on a post there are other replies covering the material (usually by my dear friend - the magnificent, knowledgable Jenn!). Anyway, sorry for the redundancy and hope the post still helps.
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Tami
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Theresa in MN wrote:
Also, for those that have made a Jesse Tree before, how did you do yours? |
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We did ours out of felt - hand-made by the children, without a pattern.
For the tree itself, you could use any number of things - a felt banner with a felt tree on it, to which the symbols are pinned. We've often used a small Norfolk pine, that are so plentiful this time of year. I've even used a bare branch buried in a pot of sand. Some famiies like to use their Christmas tree, saving the regular Christmas decorations for the days closer to Chrismas itself.
It's a lot of fun, no matter how you do it!
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When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Theresa
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I think we will use our thankful tree (pictured here).
Jenn, I pm'ed you my e-mail address so I will be watching my e-mail for the information you mentioned.
Mary M. Thank you for all the time you put into your reply. I don't have time to check out all of your links tonight as we are headed to church shortly after dinner but I will check them out.
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JennGM
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MaryM wrote:
Okay - so this frequently happens to me, while I work (ever so slowly) on a post there are other replies covering the material (usually by my dear friend - the magnificent knowJenn!). Anyway, sorry for the redundancy and hope the post still helps.
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Ah, but your post is much richer, with all the links and information! I always look forward to your well-packed posts!
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MaryM
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JennGM wrote:
MaryM wrote:
Okay - so this frequently happens to me, while I work (ever so slowly) on a post there are other replies covering the material (usually by my dear friend - the magnificent knowJenn!). Anyway, sorry for the redundancy and hope the post still helps.
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Ah, but your post is much richer, with all the links and information! I always look forward to your well-packed posts! |
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Thanks, Jenn - and that should have read "magnificent, knowledgeable Jenn." I can't spell/write 
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Theresa
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I think I am going to order the kit with the Twelve day Christmas add on. They are only about 85-90 miles from me here is MN so shipping shouldn't take to long and it will be less time on my part to prepare for each day.
Thank you Jenn for the information.
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CandaceC
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Hi Theresa! 
I just wanted to mention that I ordered the kid from the Scripture Trees co. that Jenn is sending you...that she mentioned on the other thread. I actually got it in the mail yesterday! It looks lovely! They send you all the felt you need and the patterns, and you cut it out yourself!
This will be our 2nd year doing the Jesse Tree and we are not Catholic.
There are lots of variations to the Jesse Tree. The only thing I would caution you to do is take your devotions or scriptures and your symbols from the same place. The first time I made mine, I used a devotion book my MIL had given me and just printed off the symbols from a site online. I had no idea there were so many variations! oops! So our symbols did not match our scriptures and devotions. I had to make more. 
I did want to add a Thank You to Jenn for sending me the info!! Now if I can just find the time to get all the pieces cut out!! hee hee! I would have paid double to have them already cut out.
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Theresa
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Hi Candace!!! 
Thanks for sharing about the kit. I am glad that we will still be able to do the assembly of the ornaments ourself.
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Mary G
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Theresa, when we first made ours (wow, about 4! years ago!), we used the symbols from Geraldine McCaughrean's book ... the kids and I each made symbols based on that book out of Sculpey and then made a cloth tree to tie them on as we read the book each night.
This year, with the ornaments from the Jesse Tree Swap, I thought we'd do a wood plaque and a tree made on there (this could turn into my excuse for getting the wood-burning kit I keep eyeing at Hobby Lobby ). To go with the ideas for the "spiral", I thought I'd put nails circling the tree (like garland on a real tree) and hang the ornaments that way .... still in the planning stages, but I think you can see what I mean.
The great thing about the Jesse Tree is that it links Jesus from the earliest Bible stories through to the New Testament ... so definitely scriptural and embracing all Christian faiths (even Jewish to a certain point). It's wonderful to see the kids' "ah ha" moment when they realize that all the Old Testament leads to Jesus!
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Theresa
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Mary G wrote:
| It's wonderful to see the kids' "ah ha" moment when they realize that all the Old Testament leads to Jesus! |
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Yes, that is what I am hoping.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Jesse Tree
