How To Make Your Own Jesse Tree

Many people ask this time of year, What is a Jesse Tree? It’s one of my favorite traditions that we have been doing for years. It never gets old, and it’s a wonderful way to keep the holiday about Jesus. So, search no more because I can’t wait to share with you the easiest, but meaningful Jesse Tree or the stump of Jesse Tree with you. I hope it blesses your family as much as ours over the many years.

Jesse Tree History

The Jesse Tree gets its name from the old testament in Isaiah 11: 1.

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

What You Need To Start A Jesse Tree

• A tree of some sort or you could draw on poster board. We use a small Christmas tree.
• Card stock
• A printer
• And a Bible

Bible Or Devotional Readings For Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is a FUN way to explain the story of Jesus’ genealogy and the history of God’s plan of salvation. It starts with creation to the birth of Jesus, concentrating on the imperative points in Scripture such as the bible story of  Adam and Eve, the flood, and the lineage shoot from Jesse to Jesus. Your children will have a better understanding of the spirit of the Lord.

Each day during the Advent calendar there is an ornament that goes along with a specific scripture. Simply just print the ornaments.

There is no right or wrong way to do a Jesse Tree. There are so many different ideas out there, so do what works best for your family. Please don’t worry if you skip a day. This is not supposed to be stressful, but to experience the spirit of wisdom for you and your kids. Have FUN and marvel in HIStory.

When should I start a Jesse Tree?

Since the number of days in Advent varies each year, there are a total of 29 scripture readings and ornaments. You might want to skip a few days or throw a few extra readings on Sundays. The option is yours. We always start on the first day of Advent, but it’s never too late to start.

• • I print all the ornaments and cut them out. I place all of them in a basket.
  • We rotate each day who reads the scheduled scripture for the day.
  • One child finds the correct ornament that goes along with the scripture and places it on our little Jesse Tree. (
  • We discuss how the concept applies to our lives today and we say a prayer.

You might like…

A big list of Advent coloring books and resources that will help keep the spirit of Christmas glowing in your home.

Check out the FREE Nativity stick figures that you can make to teach children the birth of Jesus.

FUN Nativity playdough mats.

More Jesse Tree ideas that will enhance this Jesse Tree devotional.

Print the FREE Printable Jesse Tree Tags

I created the Jesse Tree Devotional and Jesse Tree Ornament Printable Templates exclusively for my email subscribers. Please fill out the form below and you will instantly receive the Jesse Tree Devotion via email and be added to our weekly newsletter. We create weekly freebies for our email subscribers, so you always have something to look forward to.

So now you know all about the Jesse Tree. Feel free to ask me any questions. We have been doing the Jesse Tree with little Christmas trees for years in our home in December.