Gloria in Excelsis Deo: The Jesse Tree 2013

In years past, I have used a standard, small faux Christmas tree for our Jesse tree, but this year learned of a deeper symbolism of using a barren branch:

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Therefore, this year our son helped me procure a branch from the woods out back, which is held up with stones in a vase.

As the Jesse tree is a (fairly new, I believe) tradition of the home, not a liturgy of the Church, one can use a Jesse tree in various ways, starting on the first day of Advent or on December first (this year it just so happens that Advent begins on December first). Also, there are no prescribed readings, but various suggested readings available which will take one through the genealogy of Christ, from Adam and Eve to Our Lord's birth. In fact, I have been using a different source for readings in years past, but will be switching this year to match the readings arranged by a woman at our parish who spearheaded the Jesse Tree ornament swap.

Some families do the Jesse tree readings in the evenings, but experience has taught me that our time after dinner--and the children's attention span--is already "booked" with praying the family Rosary. So, we do our Jesse tree readings right after breakfast when the children are fresh and eager.

A fellow homeschooling mother and blogger in my city compiled free coloring pages for each day of Advent to coordinate with Jesse tree readings: click here! My idea for this year is to let the children color these pages at the table while I read to them the Bible readings of the day.

Following are photographs of the beautiful, hand-crafted ornaments made by 23 other women with whom I participated in the ornament swap.