Christian Education

November 2025

The Jesse Tree: Slowing Down for Advent

Time — where has it gone? November is already here! With it comes the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 2nd at 2:00 a.m. and the beginning of Advent on November 30th. Does anyone else wish time would slow down just a little? Let’s take a few moments to talk about Advent.

Many families and congregations mark the season of Advent by studying the Jesse Tree. Though its roots stretch back centuries, its message is as meaningful today as ever. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1 — “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Jesse, the father of King David, represents the family line from which Jesus would come. The Jesse Tree helps us trace that lineage — and God’s faithfulness — from creation all the way to the manger in Bethlehem.

Each day of Advent, an ornament is added to the tree, representing a story from Scripture — from creation and God’s promise to Abraham, to the birth of Jesus. Every symbol reminds us how God’s plan unfolded, piece by piece, leading to the greatest gift of all.

The Jesse Tree reminds us that God’s story didn’t begin in the manger — it began in the garden, in promises made to ordinary people who trusted God’s extraordinary plan. As we hang each ornament and tell each story, we remember that God’s promises are trustworthy, His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant.

The beauty of the Jesse Tree lies not in elaborate decorations but in the storytelling. It helps both children and adults see how each story in Scripture connects to the greater story of God’s redemption. It’s a way to slow down and remember that our faith is not just about one moment in Bethlehem, but about a God who has been at work since the very beginning — and continues to work in our lives today.

This year at Providence, we will have a Jesse Tree outside the Sanctuary, and each Sunday we’ll add a new ornament. Every family will also receive a Jesse Tree ornament kit to use at home. Each day, you can read a corresponding Scripture passage and add an ornament that represents the story.

As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, let’s enter Advent not with haste, but with hope. May the story of the Jesse Tree draw us closer to the heart of the One who came to make all things new.

Blessings to you and your family,

Rosie Robinson