JESSE TREE

A Jesse Tree is the depiction of the earthly ancestry of Jesus as a tree growing from Jesse, the father of David. In the 20th centtury the notion of a Jesse tree as a symbol of Advent attracted a number of American artists and craftspeople.

Many churches and homes now contain a tree or tree branch, decoratedwith ornaments symbolic of Messianic prophecies or a banner adorned with Bible verses prophesying the coming of Jesus.

Sometimes the Jesse Tree is decorated piece by piece like an Advent calendar, and in some churches, a Jesse Tree is used to collect winter clothing for the poor, with members attaching hats, scarves or mittens.