Learn how to make a Jesse Tree with Ornaments to start a Christ- centered tradition in your home. This tutorial will show you how to make a Jesse Tree and will provide you with a free printable to make your own DIY Jesse Tree.
Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year, and I never want it to pass without feeling like we have had the opportunity to really focus hearts and minds on Jesus. One of the coolest ways I have found to do this with my children is with a Jesse Tree tradition. So today’s gift for Day 10 is a free tutorial and printable on how to make a Jesse Tree with ornaments for a Jesse Tree Tradition in your home!
Start a new Jess Tree tradition
What is a Jesse Tree?
I hadn’t until a couple of years ago. came across the idea when my friend Becca mentioned it. A Jesse Tree is a collection of 24 or 25 ornaments that tell a part of the gospel story from creation to Jesus’s birth. There is an ornament for each day, and a passage or story from the Bible that corresponds with it.
Since then I have always wanted to put one together. So this year is the year!
How many ornaments are used with a Jesse Tree?
I spent time yesterday painting the 24 ornaments that tell the story of God’s salvation from creation to the cross. Instead of stopping at the birth of Jesus. I also added the cross in with my ornaments so I can talk about why Jesus came to earth.
The ornaments I created go along with the Jesus Storybook Bible. So each story has a corresponding story. This makes it easier for having pictures to go along with the story. This is similar to what I did with the resurrection eggs, and works well for young children.
I also wanted to give a gift to you today! So I spent time creating a digital form of the 24 ornaments for you! This will hopefully make it super easy if you are short on time to make a Jesse Tree for your own home.
Putting together the tree was a wonderful experience for me because I was reminded of God’s amazing story from the beginning all the way to Bethlehem where the little babe was born and wrapped in a manager.
I am praying and so excited to share this experience with my daughters and I hope that you will be encouraged and have time to do something similar. So here’s what you do to get started with a Jesse Tree tradition.
Here’s what you need for a Jesse Tree:
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- Free Jesse Tree printables
- Small tree, branches, or stand
- 24 or 25 unfinished wood pieces
- Jesus Storybook Bible goes along well with these printables but any Bible would work
- Or Purchase a Jesse Tree Kit (Optional)
Here’s how to make a Jesse Tree & Make it a Tradition
Step 1: Make your ornaments
Print out the free Jesse Tree Ornaments printable and cut around each circle. You could just print your printables on cardstock and use as is. But to get more durable ornaments. I would recommend gluing or mod podging each circle onto an unfinished wood ornament. Tie a small piece of thread or twine to your ornament to hang it.
Tip: You can also use the printables as a guide to make your own ornaments by painting or sewing with felt. I have seen some people use clay as well to make the ornaments. If you are short on time I recommend just using the printables this year.
Step 2: Create a plan for your devotional time together
The free printables come with a devotional reading for each day. The printables I created coincide with the Jesus Storybook Bible. Similar to the resurrection eggs from Easter. So there are pictures with each story on your Jesse Tree. This will work especially well for younger children. Plan a time each day that you and your children can set aside to read the Bible together.
“Whether they hear or understand anything that is being read, just the act of gathering as a family to read God’s Word speaks volumes to your kids about the authority of scripture.”
My girls also love music. So we will sing a couple of Christmas songs and get to know them well over the 24 days. It is also a good time to pray with and for your children.
It doesn’t have to take long but in total the whole time might be 15 minutes. I find breakfast is a good time for our family, but it could be a different time as well. Plan a time that you think will work well.
Step 3: Have your children pick an ornament each day
I plan to put my ornaments in the DIY Advent Calendar I made last week. Each morning my daughters will pick a ornament that will go along with that day’s Bible story. I will ask them what they see on the ornament.
If you don’t have an advent calendar you could always just have the ornament in the same place each morning. Then your children will know where to look for it.
Step 3: Hang the ornaments on the tree
Sometime during your time together have your child hang the ornament on the tree each day. I used a small Christmas tree and we keep it in our living room. So everyone sees it often, and it reminds us of the Bible stories.
And here’s a couple of tips for your Jesse Tree:
- Pray before your time together or with your children- ask Jesus to bless your time together and to open your hearts to Him.
- Don’t be discouraged if your time together doesn’t happen just as your planned. If you do the Jesse Tree during breakfast, milk may spill, someone may start crying, your phone may ring non-stop or any number of things. Don’t let those things discourage you. There is always opposition to doing the things that are most important. The important thing is that you are trying! Keep at it and try again the next day.
- There is value in just reading the Bible together- whether children are closely listening or engaged there is value in reading the Bible together. I read the quote below recently, but don’t have the author. “Whether they hear or understand anything that is being read, just the act of gathering as a family to read God’s Word speaks volumes to your kids about the authority of scripture.”
- Make it fun! I hope the Jesse Tree is a fun tradition with your family. It doesn’t need to be overly serious but help your children to see the beauty of Christ and the joy that is found in a relationship to him. Make it fun with songs, maybe a special treat to go along with the story once in a while or even a small present. Whatever communicated love to your kiddos.
And that’s it!
Really that’s all there is to making a Jesse Tree Tradition in your home! I am thankful for this simple and meaningful way to pause during such a busy season and focus on the reason for the season. I am praying this will be a special time for us each day. And for your family too. You can do the Jesse Tree in whatever way works best for your family. But I pray it will be a blessing to your and your little ones.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or comments. I would love to hear about the traditions you do in your family!
You can also make your own peg doll nativity set!
A simple project that also goes along with the Jesse Tree is making your own nativity set. You can see how to make your own nativity set with your little children and use it with your Jesse Tree.
As always thanks for sopping by!
P.S. If you missed Day 1 on making beautiful fabric Christmas Trees make sure to check out that post too!
Tricia Liollio says
I really would love a copy of these ornaments but your link doesnβt work! Tliollio@churchofadvent.org
Elizabeth Walby says
I emailed them. Elizabeth
Juli Garner says
I tried to enter my email, but nothing happened. Would you please email me the link!
Elizabeth Walby says
Sure! Elizabeth
Tricia Liollio says
HI! I am trying to get the free printable, but nothing is happening, can you email them to me?
Joe says
We are trying to download the printable for the Jesse Tree Ornaments, but nothing has happened with our emails
Elizabeth Walby says
I finally emailed them! Elizabeth
Jill Marie Hall says
Good morning. I have requested your Jesse Tree resource twice but it hasn’t come through. I’m wondering if I needed to remove something to receive it. Either way would you be willing to send it to me directly, please. Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to this resource
Elizabeth Walby says
I finally emailed them! Elizabeth
Beth Whitaker says
You have emailed me the pdf, but I was wondering if you have it available in black and white so the children can color it themselves.
Elizabeth Walby says
Hi Beth,
Yes I do! You can get them here. Thank you! Elizabeth
Tricia Liollio says
I would love to get the printable if you are willing to forward!
Sara says
Can you please send me the Jesse Tree file? I tried entering my information a couple times and it did’t work. Thank you and God Bless!
Elizabeth Walby says
Yes! I just did. Take care and God bless! Elizabeth
Lina de Bolivar says
Hello, I have put my email and I cannot download them, are they available?
Elizabeth Walby says
Sent!
Elizabeth
Elle Leonard says
I am having the same trouble. Would you be able to email it me?
Elizabeth Walby says
I emailed them! Take care, Elizabeth
cc says
I’m sorry but Iβm having the same issue. I entered my email address mutiple times and nothing happened. Are they still available? Iβd love to use them!
TIA
Blessings!
Elizabeth Walby says
This is so frustrating. Yes! I will email you. Elizabeth
Brittany says
Hi,
I have tried multiple times using both the link and the box at the end to get the free printable for the ornaments but I haven’t received anything. I’ve checked all folders and even restarted my phone. Not sure what is the issue but could you please send them to me?
Elizabeth Walby says
Sure! Elizabeth
Walker Cervo says
Hi! I suppose Iβm a little late to the game but I wanted to start this tradition with my son this year. He is only 2.5 but is already captivated by several Bible stories heβs learned in Sunday school so I think he will really enjoy this! Thank you so much for your help in inspiring me to start it! My question is, how do I go about framing the Jesse Tree tradition in a way that makes it special, as opposed to it βjustβ being stories, which we read pretty regularly?
Elizabeth Walby says
Hi Walker! I am not sure if you have a Jesus Storybook Bible but I like how the stories in that Bible all point to Christ. As we go through the Bible stories I always connected the story to the coming of Christ. This builds anticipation in your children and actually helps them to understand God’s story from creation to resurrection. Hope that helps! I love your heart for your son. Take care and God bless! Elizbaeth
Jennifer Reeves says
I have put in my email, but nothing is happening! Are these still available?
Elizabeth Walby says
I will email them to you. Elizabeth
Jenni Satterfield says
Hi! I love your site & would love to use these! Canβt seem to get the download though. Can u email me? Thx! Jenni
Elizabeth Walby says
I added a new link in the list of supplies needed. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you still have trouble. Elizabeth
Jenni says
I got it! Thanks so much for your reply!
Ana says
Iβm having the same issue. I entered my email address and nothing happened. Checking my inbox and not seeing anything there. Are they still available? Iβd love to use them!
I love your site π
Elizabeth Walby says
Hi Ana, Thank you! I emailed you a copy too! Elizabeth
David Banga says
Is the download still available? I can’t seem to get it here.
Elizabeth Walby says
Hi David, it should be sent to your inbox. You may want to check your spam or promotions folders. Thanks, Elizabeth
Jenni says
Hi! I entered my email but I havenβt received anything to my inbox or junk. Can you send it to me directly? jennimac25@yahoo.com
Thanks so much!
Elizabeth Walby says
I added a link above. Please let me know if you still have troubles with it. Elizabeth
Tara says
Is this printable still available? I entered my e-mail address, but nothing happened. Thank you!
Elizabeth Walby says
Yes, I emailed you. It should be sent directly to your inbox. Please let me know if you continue to have trouble with it. Elizabeth
Camala Nutter says
Iβm having the same issue. I entered my email address and nothing happened. Checking my inbox and not seeing anything there. Are they still available? Iβd love to use them!
Elizabeth Walby says
Yes! They should have been sent to your inbox. Please let me know if you did not receive them. Thanks, Elizabeth
Diana Holzer says
Love your site…
Happy Thanksgiving.π¦ππππ
Elizabeth Walby says
Hi Diana, thanks so much! I am so thankful for readers like you! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Elizabeth