The Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition that tells the story of salvation, from Creation to the birth of Christ, one Bible story and one ornament at a time. Its name comes from the prophecy of Isaias that the Messiah would be a “rod out of the root of Jesse,” the father of King David. Each day of Advent, the family reads a short passage, hangs a symbol on a small tree or branch, and prays together. Below is what the Jesse Tree is, how to make one, a full list of daily readings and symbols, and a prayer to use each evening.
What is the Jesse Tree?
The prophet Isaias foretold that a new king would spring from the family of Jesse, like a green shoot from an old stump:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.
In the Middle Ages, artists painted and carved “Trees of Jesse” in cathedrals and stained-glass windows, showing the ancestors of Jesus on the branches of a tree growing from Jesse, with Mary and Christ at the top. The famous window at Chartres Cathedral is one example. Families today turn that image into a daily Advent devotion, especially with children.
How to make a Jesse Tree
- Choose a tree: a small bare branch in a vase, a little artificial tree, a felt tree on the wall, or a tree drawn on a poster.
- Make or print the ornaments: simple paper circles with a drawing for each day, or wooden, felt or clay ornaments. Children can color them.
- Each evening of Advent, read the Bible passage (or tell the story in your own words for small children), hang the ornament, and pray the prayer below.
- Light the Advent wreath at the same time if you have one. See Advent wreath prayers.
Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29, so the list below starts on that day; if you begin on December 1, skip or combine the first days.
Daily readings and symbols
| Day | Story | Reading | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creation | Genesis 1:1–31 | Sun and moon, or the earth |
| 2 | Adam and Eve | Genesis 3:1–15 | Apple and serpent |
| 3 | Noah and the flood | Genesis 6:11–22; 8:6–12 | Ark or rainbow |
| 4 | Abraham | Genesis 15:1–6 | Starry sky |
| 5 | Isaac | Genesis 22:1–14 | Ram or bundle of wood |
| 6 | Jacob’s ladder | Genesis 28:10–17 | Ladder |
| 7 | Joseph and his brothers | Genesis 37:3–11 | Colorful coat |
| 8 | Moses and the burning bush | Exodus 3:1–10 | Burning bush |
| 9 | The Passover | Exodus 12:1–13 | Lamb or door with blood |
| 10 | The Ten Commandments | Exodus 20:1–17 | Stone tablets |
| 11 | Ruth | Ruth 1:16–17 | Sheaf of wheat |
| 12 | Jesse | Isaias (Isaiah) 11:1–2 | Tree stump with a shoot |
| 13 | David the shepherd king | 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:1–13 | Harp or crown |
| 14 | Solomon’s wisdom | 3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:5–14 | Temple |
| 15 | Elijah | 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:30–39 | Altar with fire |
| 16 | Isaiah’s prophecy | Isaias (Isaiah) 9:2, 6–7 | Lamp or scroll |
| 17 | Jonah | Jonas (Jonah) 2:1–11 | Great fish |
| 18 | Daniel | Daniel 6:16–23 | Lion |
| 19 | Zechariah and Elizabeth | Luke 1:5–25 | Censer |
| 20 | The Annunciation | Luke 1:26–38 | Lily or angel |
| 21 | The Visitation | Luke 1:39–56 | Two women meeting |
| 22 | John the Baptist | Luke 1:57–80 | Shell or water |
| 23 | Joseph’s dream | Matthew 1:18–25 | Carpenter’s tools |
| 24 | Bethlehem | Micheas (Micah) 5:2; Luke 2:1–7 | Manger |
| 25 | The birth of Jesus | Luke 2:8–20 | Star or Christ Child |
Book names in brackets are the names used in most modern Bibles; the Douay-Rheims Bible uses the older names first. Verse numbers can differ slightly between translations.
An evening prayer for the Jesse Tree
Written for this page:
Lord God, you prepared the world for the coming of your Son
through the long story of your people.
As we remember (today’s story), open our hearts to your promises.
Come, Lord Jesus, root of Jesse, and make your home in our family.
Amen.
Then sing a verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” whose verse “O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse” comes from the O Antiphons of December 17 to 23.
The birth at the end of the tree
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day the tree is complete, and the last ornament is the Christ Child himself:
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,
To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jesse Tree Catholic?
Yes. It grew out of medieval Catholic art, and today it is used by Catholic families, schools and parishes as well as by other Christians.
When do you start the Jesse Tree?
On the First Sunday of Advent (November 29 in 2026) or on December 1. Families who start later can combine two stories in one evening.
What is the difference between a Jesse Tree and an Advent wreath?
The Advent wreath counts the four Sundays of Advent with candles; the Jesse Tree tells one Bible story each day. Many families use both. See the Advent candles.
More for Advent
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Advent
- Advent wreath prayers
- The O Antiphons
- St. Andrew Christmas novena
- Las Posadas
- Gaudete Sunday
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Isaias 11:1–2; Luke 2:4–7, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain. The reading list gives references only.
- The daily list and the prayer were written for this page.