The Jesse Tree—Free PowerPoint Presentation

Jesse Tree slideshow

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.

About Joe Paprocki 2758 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

23 Comments on The Jesse Tree—Free PowerPoint Presentation

  1. 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

  2. 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.

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

  3. 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!

    • 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

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