“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”
What is a Jesse Tree?
A Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition that walks through the whole Bible story on the way to Christmas. Its name comes from Isaiah 11:1, the promise that a new Branch would grow out of the stump of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David, and the tree traces the family line and the promises that lead to Jesus (see the genealogy of Jesus). Each day of December you read one short passage and hang one ornament, so children see that Christmas is the promise God had been keeping all along. It is a long-standing Advent custom in many churches.
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
Jesse Tree ornaments list in order, with readings
Here are the 25 stories in this set, with the ornament for each day, the passage to read and the key verse printed on the readings pages. Lists vary from church to church; this one keeps a simple order from Creation to Christmas. On Day 7 and Day 11 the key verse comes from outside the reading (Genesis 50:20 and Joshua 1:9), and the pack labels it “Key verse”.
| Day | Story | Ornament | Reading | Key verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creation | Sun and world | Genesis 1:1-31 | Genesis 1:1 |
| 2 | Adam and Eve | Fruit | Genesis 3:1-15 | Genesis 3:15 |
| 3 | Noah | Ark and rainbow | Genesis 9:8-17 | Genesis 9:13 |
| 4 | Abraham | Stars | Genesis 15:1-6 | Genesis 15:5 |
| 5 | Isaac | Ram | Genesis 22:1-14 | Genesis 22:8 |
| 6 | Jacob | Ladder | Genesis 28:10-17 | Genesis 28:15 |
| 7 | Joseph | Coat | Genesis 37:1-11 | Genesis 50:20 |
| 8 | Moses | Burning bush | Exodus 3:1-15 | Exodus 3:14 |
| 9 | The Passover | Lamb | Exodus 12:1-14 | Exodus 12:13 |
| 10 | The Ten Commandments | Stone tablets | Exodus 20:1-17 | Exodus 20:2 |
| 11 | Joshua | Trumpet | Joshua 6:1-20 | Joshua 1:9 |
| 12 | Ruth | Wheat | Ruth 1:1-18 | Ruth 1:16 |
| 13 | Samuel | Lamp | 1 Samuel 3:1-10 | 1 Samuel 3:10 |
| 14 | Jesse | Stump and shoot | Isaiah 11:1-10 | Isaiah 11:10 |
| 15 | David | Harp | 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Samuel 16:7 |
| 16 | Solomon | Temple | 1 Kings 3:5-14 | 1 Kings 3:9 |
| 17 | Elijah | Altar fire | 1 Kings 18:30-39 | 1 Kings 18:39 |
| 18 | Isaiah | Scroll | Isaiah 9:2-7 | Isaiah 9:6 |
| 19 | Jonah | Great fish | Jonah 2:1-10 | Jonah 2:9 |
| 20 | Daniel | Lion | Daniel 6:10-23 | Daniel 6:22 |
| 21 | Bethlehem | Little town | Micah 5:2-5 | Micah 5:2 |
| 22 | Mary | Lily | Luke 1:26-38 | Luke 1:38 |
| 23 | John the Baptist | Shell | Luke 1:57-80 | Luke 1:76 |
| 24 | Joseph of Nazareth | Carpenter’s tools | Matthew 1:18-25 | Matthew 1:21 |
| 25 | Jesus Is Born | Manger | Luke 2:1-20 | Luke 2:11 |
Printable Jesse Tree ornaments
What’s inside the free PDF:
- Cover (p1): the stump of Jesse with a new shoot, ringed by eight ornaments, with Isaiah 11:1
- What is a Jesse Tree? (p2): what is in the pack, how to use it, three questions to talk about and a “Starting late?” note, with Romans 15:4
- Reading chart (p3): Days 1 to 25 with the symbol, story, reading, key verse and a box to tick
- Ornaments (pp4–6): 25 round ornaments to color, cut and hang, about 2.3 in across, plus two blanks to draw your own
- Daily readings (pp7–9): each day’s reading, its key verse in full from the King James Bible and one simple thought
- Our Jesse Tree (p10): a paper tree with 25 numbered spots to glue the ornaments on, with Jeremiah 23:5
Print the ornament pages on white card stock at actual size (100%). Color them in, cut on the dashed circle and punch the small dot for a ribbon. Hang them on a few bare branches in a vase, a small tabletop tree, or glue them onto the paper tree on page 10. Each day, read the passage aloud (or just the key verse with young children), talk about it, then hang that day’s ornament. Missed a day? Read two the next day.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Keep the verses after Christmas
Learn the key verses by heart as a family with the Scripture Memory Cards.
Related reading: 25-Day Advent reading plan · Bible verses about Advent · the genealogy of Jesus · Isaiah 9:6 meaning · Isaiah 7:14 meaning · the Christmas story in the Bible · O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Also free: Advent candle printable · Nativity play script · Advent reading plan
Frequently asked questions
Is this Jesse Tree printable free?
Yes. It is free for families, churches and classrooms to print and copy. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell it.
How many Jesse Tree ornaments are there?
Usually one for each day of Advent. This set has 25, one for each day from December 1 to 25, plus two blank ornaments to draw your own.
When do you start a Jesse Tree?
On December 1, or on the first Sunday of Advent if your church starts then. If you start late, keep the order and read two a day until you catch up.
What do you hang a Jesse Tree on?
A few bare branches in a vase, a small tabletop tree, or the paper tree on page 10, taped to a wall or the fridge.
Is the Jesse Tree Catholic or Protestant?
Both. Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and evangelical families all keep a Jesse Tree, and lists of stories vary a little from church to church. The readings here are the same Bible stories, printed from the King James Version.
Free for families, churches and classrooms to print and copy. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell. Scripture from the King James Version (public domain in the US). Ornament art drawn for ByScripture.