One popular Advent tradition is making a Jesse tree, which helps us to connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth. We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent people, prophesies, and events that recall God’s promise and its fulfillment. With a focus on Old Testament figures, the Jesse tree is a particularly good activity for sixth graders studying salvation history. It’s also great for any junior high or older group wanting to review the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history.
This Advent, bring the tradition of the Jesse tree to your parish with the help of our new PowerPoint presentation. Each slide in the presentation presents a brief meditation on a Jesse tree figure with a suggested ornament and Scripture citations. Most of the information in this presentation is excerpted from The Stories of the Old Testament: A Catholic’s Guide by Jim Campbell.
Use the slideshow alone or in conjunction with the online version at LoyolaPress.com.
Here are just a few ideas for how to use this slideshow in your setting:
- Reflect with the meditations in an Advent prayer service.
- Introduce salvation history material before studying the stories more closely in the Bible.
- Use it as inspiration for students to create their own artwork for a classroom or family Jesse tree.
- Invite parents to an evening learning about the Old Testament with the aid of the presentation.
Loyola Press never disappoints! Thank you so much, I am a returnee to the church after almost 50 years away!
Thanks Christine, God be praised!
Welcome home Christine!
Hi Joe,
By way of introduction you where my mentor as a new DRE in Illinois. I was at St Louis De Montfort Church in Oak Lawn, IL. We live now in Lebanon, TN just outside of Nashville where I continue to volunteer as a Catechist preparing 2nd graders of First Eucharist and Reconciliation.
I was looking for some Jesse Tree information that was at a children’s level when I came across your name. Imagine my surprise! I have to say my favorite of your books remains the Bible in the File Cabinet as I call it. I learn something every time I read it.
I pray God continues to use your gifts to evangelize our world.
Take care!
Rosa A. Rivera-Mizzoni
Hi Rosa and thanks for the trip down memory lane! So glad to hear that you are still in ministry. I hope you’re enjoying Tennessee! Blessings! -joe
I’m new to the Jesse Tree concept.
Always looking for good material to use during Advent.
Hello. I’m Arch Capistrano from Cebu City, Philippines. May I have a copy of the Jesse Tree PowerPoint Presentation?
I would love to share the Jesse Tree PPT with my students and create the ornaments that go with the readings each day. Please send me the ppt. Thank you.
Looking forward to sharing with my class.
May I request for a Jesse Tree Powerpoint Presentation. Thank you very much
Hi Ruth, go ahead and fill out the brief form at the bottom of the post and you will receive the presentation attached to an email. Thanks! -joe
Would love to use your resource to share with the children in my class the wonders of the Jesse tree
Michelle, go ahead and fill out the brief form at the bottom of the post and you will receive the presentation attached to an email. Thanks! -joe
Would love to view your resource (Jesse Tree Slide Show) with materials for our church’s children this Advent. La Verne Hts. Presbyterian.
Peggy,
Just fill out the form on this post, and the resource link will be e-mailed to you.
Denise Gorss
Catechist’s Journey Editor
Please forward powerpoint of Jesse Tree
Steve, just fill out the form on this post, and the resource link will be e-mailed to you.
Denise Gorss
Catechist’s Journey Editor
Teaching about the Jesse Tree is one of my favorite things to do during the Advent season. Please send me your Jesse Tree PPT.
I look forward to viewing it and hopefully sharing it with the children I teach!
Thanks, Kelly! Just fill in your email address at the bottom of the post and click submit and the PPT will be emailed to you!
Please could I have a copy of the powerpoint This is just what I was looking for. Thank you so much.
Bernadette, fill out the brief form within the post, and you will receive an e-mail with the presentation.
Denise Gorss
Catechist’s Journey Editor
looking forward to learning about the Jesse tree O antiphons ornaments
Looking forward to this lesson