The Jesse Tree on the wall behind the altar is a biblical family tree of Jesus. It is named after Jesse, the father of the great king David. Jesus is a descendant of David. “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom”. Isaiah 11:1 The spiritual and genetic ancestors of Jesus are represented on the tree with symbols from events in their lives. The stories of the earliest ancestors of Jesus are on the bottom row of the tree. Their stories are found in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah. Can you identify their symbols? Adam & Eve Noah Abraham & Sarah Isaac & Rebecca Jacob & Leah – (hint: he dreamed of angels climbing to heaven) God chose these spiritual ancestors from the time of creation until the birth of Jesus to be His People. The symbols point to persons whose lives show us that God was always with the people as God is with us now. Fear Not: God is Faithful!
At Home The home Jesse Tree, given to Generation of Faith participants and sold in the back of church, uses the same symbols as the Tree in church. At home, celebrate the season of Advent by putting the symbols on the tree, one per day, beginning Sunday, December 1st . An adult Jesse Tree booklet ($1 in the back of church) provides daily reflections related to the Biblical figures on the tree.