The Jesse Tree Tradition
We hope you will tune in daily and hear our Advent Jesse Tree Reflection. Our Jesse Tree spots run twice daily between 6:55am-7am and then again around 7pm.
During Advent, Christians prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. It’s the perfect time to reflect on how God prepared the world for the coming of Christ over 2,000 years ago. When you think about the time before Christ was born, many stories come to mind: Abraham numbering stars in the sky, Isaac climbing a mountain with an armful of wood, Jacob fashioning a colorful coat for his son…. All these stories (and more) are foreshadowing the coming of Christ and lead us from Creation to Christ.
ADVENT is a significant season in the Christian liturgical calendar, symbolizing
a time of waiting, hope, and preparation for the celebration of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
It lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve, with each week focusing on different themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Weekly Themes
Week 1 (Nov 30 - Dec 6): Hope - Reflecting on the coming of Christ.
Week 2 (Dec 7 - Dec 13): Peace - "Make straight the way of the Lord."
Week 3 (Dec 14 c 20): Joy - Celebrated on Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing.
Week 4 (Dec 21 - Dec 24): Love - The final waiting before Christmas.
The Jesse Tree Daily Reflections - 2025
Blessing the Tree
Dec 3 - Noah
Dec 6 - Jacob
Dec 1 - Creation
Dec 4 - Abraham
Dec 7 - Joseph
Dec 2 - Adam
Dec 5 - Isaac
Dec 8 - Moses
Make Your Own Jesse Tree Ornaments
We have created some Jesse Tree ornaments that you can download for free and create your own Jesse Tree at home.
You will find that there are some variations between different sources because the length of Advent changes each year, as well as some versions include the O'Antiphons and some do not. On Armor of God Catholic Radio, we use the version with the O'Antiphons. Singing together each night during this last week leading up to Christmas is a wonderful way to bring families together and prepare our hearts to receive Our Lord Jesus Christ on December 25. We hope you will enjoy these free resources.
Several sources were used, including the book, “The Jesse Tree, An Advent Devotion” by Eric & Suzan Sammons and the Catholic Culture website.
Another beautiful little book we enjoy for this season is "Keeping Advent and Christmastime" from Liturgy Training Publications. This book includes all the special feast days during Advent, Advent wreath and Christmas tree blessings, as well as tradional ways to celebrate these season together.
