Kids Ministry Presents: Countdown To Christmas!
10.22.25 | News, Articles | by Chris Filippou
A Jesse Tree is a family Advent tradition that teaches the history of salvation by visually telling the lineage of Jesus Christ through ornaments on a tree, like a countdown to Christmas. For parents, it's a way to keep Christ at the center of the holiday by focusing on scripture, prayer, and the stories of the Old Testament figures who prepared the way for Jesus, rather than just gifts. The tradition gets its name from a prophecy in the book of Isaiah that a "shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse," the father of King David.
How it works:
Get a "tree": This can be a real or artificial tree, a large branch, or even a felt or magnetic tree.
Gather ornaments: This has been done for you! Ornaments have been handcrafted and prayed over by a group of ladies (and their helpers) from your church family. Your family will receive a full set at the Countdown to Christmas event on Nov. 16 (details below).
Read the Bible & Use The Advent Jesse Tree book: Beginning December 1, read a scripture passage about the person whose ornament you will hang. You will receive a copy of the devotion book – the scripture, devotion, prayer, & questions are done for you!
Hang an ornament: Hang the ornament that symbolizes that day's Bible story on the tree.
Discuss and reflect: Talk about how each story connects to the larger story of salvation & leads to Jesus's birth.
Why it's a great tradition for parents
Keeps Christ at the center: It helps families focus on the meaning of Christmas by exploring the history that led to Jesus's birth, not just the celebration itself.
Visual and interactive: It uses a visual, hands-on approach that is great for kids. Decorating the tree is a fun, shared activity.
Teaches salvation history: It connects the Old & New Testaments, showing how God was preparing the world for Jesus from the beginning.
Simple and accessible: The tradition doesn't require a lot of complex materials. A Bible and a list of characters and symbols are the main requirements (and we have provided that for you)!
Builds a family tradition: It's a meaningful activity that can be done together each year, creating a strong family bond & a sense of continuity.
