Each Advent, our Christian initiation group began to see, literally, some strong connections between the stories and figures of the Old Testament linked with Advent, the Nativity and the New Testament. As a classroom teacher years ago, I had a burlap December calendar with pockets identified for each day of the month from the first through the twenty-fifth. Each pocket has a small felt handmade figure or symbol and a brief explanation.
Each day one person would pick out the felt figure and the slip, pin the figure on a large green felt tree and read the explanation. Twice on Fridays and twice on Mondays (to cover for the weekends) we learned more about the significance of the Old Testament and God’s care for the Chosen People in preparation for the Messiah.
Roots and meanings
In adapting the custom for our Christian initiation ministry, we added the scripture source behind the figure or symbol and read that during our gathering. The complete sequence was given to all participants so they could share that at home on their own and continue to reflect on the beauty of the Scriptures.
In a sense it is the family tree for Jesus, and there is something about being tangible, visual, that even now, as I am remembering, I am seeing the people and symbols and recalling the stories. It is powerful in bringing the scriptures to life.
The meaning of the Jesse Tree is given to us in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” Jesse was the father of David, who was chosen to be the king of Israel and is the ancestor of Jesus.
Using Advent as the time of understanding, preparation and faith helps us keep the true spirit of the season, so that when we celebrate the Nativity and the Christmas season, we are truly learning to live in the spirit of the church.
Time of understanding
In the Nativity narrative of Luke’s gospel, Joseph and Mary went to the city of David, Bethlehem, because Joseph was a descendent from the line of David. Jesus in the branch that God promised would come from the family of Jesse and David. Throughout the New Testament we hear Jesus referred to as the Son of David.
There are multiple options available on the Internet to download the stories, symbols, and meanings of the Jesse Tree, how to made one and ideas on how to use it for understanding the Scriptures and Advent preparations for the nativity.
Each figure and symbol of the Jesse Tree reminds us of God’s promise and those through whom the promise was kept alive. From Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elizabeth and Zechariah, John, Mary and Joseph, and finally Jesus, the story of faith continues.
Using Advent as the time of understanding, preparation and faith helps us keep the true spirit of the season, so that when we celebrate the Nativity and the Christmas season, we are truly learning to live in the spirit of the church. Everything means something. Advent is about the coming of Jesus, in time past, in the future and in each day of our lives.
