Jesse Tree?

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PacoG

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One Advent tradition I remember from my childhood (1980s) is the Jesse Tree.

I haven’t seen one in a church in ages. What became of the Jesse Tree?
 
To what kind of Jesse tree are you referring?

I ask because some people use the phrase ‘Jesse Tree’ to refer to what I prefer to see called an “Angel Tag tree” or a ‘Gift tree’.

A proper Advent Jesse tree will have (mostly) barren branches which will be decorated with ornaments that refer to ancestors of Christ and/or symbols of scriptural prophecies about the coming of Christ.

Of course there are also stained glass or tapestry depictions of Jesse trees.

The problem I see with Jesse trees is that they often look very amateurish and so not all that worthy of being inside of a Church. The ornaments need some sort of explanation which doesn’t really fit any liturgical context. At least in the United States, it is no longer that common for children (or adults) to get to go to daily Mass so they would not be getting the sense of time progression that goes along with Jesse Trees.

I think Jesse Trees are a great idea for schools or the home since each ornament can be given its individual due.
 
PacoG said:
One Advent tradition I remember from my childhood (1980s) is the Jesse Tree.

I haven’t seen one in a church in ages. What became of the Jesse Tree?
Click to expand...
Every Catholic Church I’ve been to this Advent has a Jesse Tree…, though they are in the “giving tree” model, not the traditional model.
 
Our children from both the school & CCD decorate one every year for the vestibule which is replaced on Christmas Eve with the fully decorated tree. We also have the Giving Tree every Advent.
 
My parish has an elementary school that makes a jesse tree with the symbols. I think I made loaf of bread for my turn
 
When I was in Ontario, I attended a
Catholic Church which is closely connected
to about three Catholic Schools in the area
and we had a Jesse Tree decorated by the
children who made the ornaments for hanging
on the bare-branched tree.
 
phil19034 said:
Every Catholic Church I’ve been to this Advent has a Jesse Tree…, though they are in the “giving tree” model, not the traditional model.
Click to expand...
yes, my parish has one of those giving models as well. wish we had the other kind too though. or maybe some combination of both?
 
My Church actually does put up a Jesse Tree sometimes. But I don’t think most people even know what it is.

I have a small one at home.
 
In 6th grade RE I draw the Jesse Tree to aid discussion of Jesus being in David’s line. I only mention it in passing with reference to Christmas.
 
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