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pumpkinmom
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The Jesse Tree isn't a common tradition in my area so I've never heard about it until a few years ago. I really don't know what it is (besides the obvious tree with ornaments)or what the tradition is about. Can someone clue me in? 
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Cassie
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SeaStar
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The Jesse Tree traces the story of the coming of Jesus... all the foreshadowings and promises in the Old Testament that lead up to his birth.
Each story (Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac,etc) has a symbol that can be placed on the tree during Advent. This is a powerful way to focus on the idea that Advent is a time of preparation and penance (which is in complete contrast to the current way our country views Advent).
I wish my dc were more into the Jesse Tree tradition- but they get all hyped counting down to Christmas Day. I was not raised with the Jesse Tree, and so it took me awhile to get into the swing of it myself.
There are several good books that walk you through it day by day, plus tons of stuff on the internet.
I've found that at my house, it has been a slow turn around from seeing Advent as the party before the big day to a time of preparation, then celebrating the party for 12 days after Christmas. My family does not help, as all the grandparents talk about is what is Santa bringing for you, etc.
Plus my dc see Christmas decorations in stores starting in July!
Anyway, it is a lovely tradition and one worth pursuing!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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pumpkinmom
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Thank you Melinda! I'm finding wonderful resources online, but I needed a little more background and you gave it. Your struggles are the same as mine! I've been making little changes for the last few years to help and each year we add more Catholic traditions and take away the secular ones.
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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JodieLyn
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The biggest change we've made, is not putting up the tree until Christmas Eve. We clear that day just for that, dh taking off work if necessary. It's also made the biggest impact on seperating Advent and Christmas.
In practical matters, I love that the tree is fresh and bright and the least "messed up" by littles it will get on Christmas Day and then if things get moved, taken off, rearranged, it's not such a problem.. just need somewhere to put the stuff that comes off. Makes it much more relaxing for me with littles ones in the house.
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monica4patience
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I've found it difficult to do a Jesse Tree at Christmas. We like to focus on the Advent Wreath and doing nice things to earn a piece of straw for Jesus' manger.
I found that doing a Jesse Tree during Lent to work much better. It involves a few more "ornaments", but works better for our family in leading up to Easter.
Back to Advent: we only put out the Nativity set and the window candles in the first weeks of Advent. We get the tree nearer to the last Sunday before Christmas, unless there's a family party that weekend, then we'll do it the week before. But usually don't bring it in and decorate until later.
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SeaStar
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I am trying to put up the tree later each year, but my dc really get antsy about it. Last year we did the O Antiphons for the first time. They didn't take to the idea right away, but they soon got into the swing of things.
This year I am also planning to scale back on Christmas Day gifts and spread a few out over the 12 days of Christmas. We did this in a very small way last year, and it went over very well.
I hadn't thought of doing a Jesse Tree during Lent, but that is an idea worth considering. Did you use an actual tree, and if so, what type?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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MaryM
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I would love to share an old thread where we discussed the history and origin of the Jesse Tree tradition. I learned so much and it really opened my eyes to some beautiful images.
Jesse Tree
Here is some info from that thread:
Quote:
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 prophecy and typology. |
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And then a thread in the arts forum on Jesse Tree images in sacred art.
Art Study - Jesse Trees
It includes some pictures I posted last year after our visit to Spain where we saw several sacred art Jesse Tree depictions - so beautiful and moving.
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Mary M. in Denver
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JennGM
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The Jesse Tree was originally depicted in religious art, particularly in stained glass window dating back to medieval times, showing Jesse
Art Study--Jesse Tree by MaryM has illustrations.
4Real has a multitude of threads on the Jesse Tree, so loads of information.
For Advent, we have various things we do, including the Advent Wreath. Some are just in the background. We do lots of countdown calendars. We do the O Antiphons, and we have a separate little tree for our Jesse Tree ornaments. But I let my sons do their own reading and research on the ornaments and verses. It's a background to our Advent.
My favorite arrangement is incorporating both Biblical characters and symbols of Christ, and the last week uses the O Antiphons as part of the Jesse Tree.
From Catholic Culture, and further explanation. This is what my family uses, and I used growing up[/URL]. More info from Catholic Culture.
And Michele Quigley used a similar line-up.
And I won a drawing for Holy Week and Easter Ornaments earlier this year by Jesse Tree Treasures. These are so lovely, and they also have beautiful Jesse Tree ornaments and O Antiphon ornaments.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JodieLyn
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That's the nice thing about having it a set day. The kids all know when it happens and it doesn't change so they don't feel like they can get us to change it by begging and pleading and such that wears us down.
Doing a Jesse Tree during Lent sounds interesting. I need to remember that to look at when it's closer.
Last year the kids and I have had the most fun using "Donkey Bells" and an Advent picture book. We'd light the Advent candle and sit around and I'd read aloud from both books.. and often enough add an extra picture book at the end. All the kids were invested in listening and the littles would even listen to the reading for the older kids and most of the older kids would hang around for the picture books too 
We still do the bulk of the gifts on Christmas but I have tried to break off part of them and save them for Epiphany.
We also have St. Nicholas visit on St. Nicholas Day as well as filling the stockings on Christmas Day.. it's just way lower key.. some special fruit (pomegranites for instance) and a bit of old fashioned candy and of course the gold chocolate coins. And then we usually do a family gift.. a new book or movie or such.
This way we're not breaking too much from what our families do all at once. And our kids will be able to choose one or the other or stay with both.
But it was really funny with the Christmas tree. We drug our feet on doing it.. and waiting until the 2nd or 3rd week of Advent just didn't make a bit difference until we decided to just try it for the one year and waiting for Christmas eve.. that's when we got the "wow" factor from the change.
But we still go out near Thanksgiving to cut down the Christmas tree. They're dormant, and here it's so cold we don't even keep it in water.. though places it's warmer will have good results just putting the fresh cut tree in a big bucket of water for the month. But that kept us in the extended family traditions of getting a tree.
We live where weather is definately an issue in winter so we set ourselves up to be at home for Christmas (sure we could make an exception for something special) and used the weather for our excuse. But then we always travel at Thanksgiving if we dont' have a major excuse not to (like a sacrament or I've had a child due about then).
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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JennGM
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Cross posting with Mary, sorry! I had the window open and delayed by bedtime reading!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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Two more old threads:
Jesse Tree Symbols Confusion
Jesse Tree. In this thread Victoria created a .pdf booklet which has Scripture and Catholic Catechism quotes for each symbol. Fantastic resource.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Can someone explain the Jesse Tree to me?
