Customer Reviews

The Jesse Tree: Stories and Symbols of Advent

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The Jesse tree is a "tree" decorated with symbols of the forbearers of Jesus. They provide a devotion through Advent that teaches (or reminds one of) the Old Testament stories. There is no set group of stories that constitute an official Jesse tree, which allows the creative to adjust the tradition to meet specific needs. For those of us who need help with the art, this is an excellent collection with art that can be cut out and hung (the devotion will appear on the back of the ornament) or can be used in book form, simply leaving the appropriate symbol visible for the day. Of course, there are as many other options as those using the booklet can invent. The booklet also suggests which symbols should be omitted when Advent is less than its maximum length.

For each symbol a scriptural reading is suggested, a short reflection is given as is a final prayer.

Symbols include: the Jesse tree, the birth of life, Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Father Abraham, Isaac and the ram, Jacob and his dream, a symbol of prophecy, Jospeh and his coat, Moses and the law, the blessing of Aaron, Samuel and the Word of the Lord, David, symbol of shepherds, the wisdom of Solomon, Elijah and the Raven, Elisha and healing, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah the builder, angels, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Virgin Mary, Magnificat, the birth of John the Baptizer, Joseph of Nazareth, the symbol of Bethlehem and the birth of the Lord.

My only quibble with the list is that, in keeping with the geneology of Matthew, I would like to see Ruth included.

When my now 22-31 year old children were very small...I stumbled across this book. Each night before dinner, we did the reading and prayer, and placed the ornament on a bare branch taken from one of our trees. Some nights were harder than others to make the time, (and to try to make sure that the beginning readers didn't have the longest and hardest readings!), but until they reached the college years, we did it! It is one of my fondest memories, as well as theirs. Now, I'm buying copies for their families...the roots grow deep when you plant with love.

We were delighted to see that this little booklet is still available. My children (now approaching their 40's) used these pages to add to a branch (from the back yard) during Advent. We laminated the pages after cutting them out; they represent OT prophecies and NT stories to tell and retell the Christmas story. It's a tradition worth starting in your families.

I saw this book on a friend's blog. The pictures looked to be in full color, simple, but very nice. I was very disappointed to receive my copy today and find that the pictures are all a murky-photocopied-grey-color. Even coloring them won't help much, as there is so much grey. I am mostly disappointed, since there are lots of free Jessie Tree ornaments and devotions online, and I ordered this book because the pictures were especially pretty. Sadly, the grey colors take away from the prettiness.

Otherwise, the content is great.

Perhaps I misunderstood.

It is wonderful to have a book of ready-made Jesse Tree symbols. I warn buyers that the symbols are large: 4 inches by up to 6 inches, so you will need to have a large area available for the display of the Jesse Tree.

I did everything backwards....

I first found the symbols that I wanted to use for our Jesse Tree online here: http://www.stmichaelonline.org/LiturgicalYear/jtornaments.htm After coloring, cutting them out and laminating them, I realized a book of readings would be nice to go along with the Scripture. So, I looked here for such a book. I was amazed to find this book that had the exact same picture on the cover as our first symbol. I assumed that the rest of the symbols would also match and bought the book. Thankfully, it does. We had one little glitch though. Our book was bound incorrectly-- two sections of pages were inverted. However, since it is a simple staple binding, I was able to rearrange the pages with no problem. We are eager to add this book to our Advent readings starting tonight.

I ordered this book to use during worship in our small Episcopal Church. Each Sunday a family chooses one of the symbols. They bring it to the front of the church and read the message on the back. Then they hang it on the Jesse tree, a small bare tree without any foliage.

The symbols are vivid and colorful and they capture the idea being presented. The text is clear and explains the symbol well. It's a good resource for worship.

I ordered 2 of these. On one, the pages were not properly cut. You could read the content but the pages were above the book cover and some of the page numbers were cut off. The other book was fine. I look forward to using these with my children next year.

I love this book, nice and simple, easy to use and understand - we are looking forward to making a Jesse tree next season - using the pattern book along with this one

I never received my copy - neither did the person I asked to have it sent to. Don't know what happened.