What Is a Jesse Tree? A 25-Day KJV Advent Devotional for Families

Every December there’s a pull to slow down and think about what Christmas is really about, and every December the calendar fills up anyway. If you want a simple way to point your family back to Jesus, a Jesse Tree might be just what you’ve been looking for.

A Jesse Tree is a short daily Advent practice. Each day you read a small piece of Scripture, talk about it together, and hang an ornament on a tree or branch that stands for what you read. By Christmas, the tree tells the whole story of how God kept His promise, from the very first page of the Bible to the manger.

Why Is It Called a Jesse Tree?

Jesse was the father of King David. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about a promise connected to Jesse’s family:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isaiah 11:1 (KJV)

It sounds like a family line that had been cut down to a stump, yet God said new life would grow from it. The New Testament shows us that this Branch is Jesus, who came from the family of David. A Jesse Tree is named for that promise.

How a Jesse Tree Works

The idea is simple, and that is part of why it fits into a busy season. For 25 days, usually starting December 1, your family does the same few things:

• Read the day’s Scripture passage together.
• Talk about it with a question or two.
• Pray a short prayer.
• Hang that day’s ornament on your tree, branch, or even a paper tree on the wall.

It takes a few minutes. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar, and the kids don’t need to sit still for long. The ornaments give little hands something to do while the Word is being read.

The Story It Tells, From Creation to Christmas

The readings follow God’s promise through the whole Bible. In the early days, you’ll read about creation and God’s first promise after the fall. Then come Noah and the rainbow, Abraham and the stars, and Joseph, who said to his brothers that God meant it unto good. You’ll walk through the burning bush and the Passover, then meet Ruth, David the shepherd king, and the prophets who spoke of the coming King. The last days bring you to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Word made flesh.

One of the prophets’ promises is a favorite for the middle of the month:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Reading these promises day after day, you start to see that Christmas didn’t come out of nowhere. God had been planning it from the beginning.

In our house, Christmas has always been about more than what we get. Every year, each of our kids packs their own shoebox gift for a child they will never meet. We talk with them about what that box could mean to that child, and how God can use us to reach other people. The kids always want to put in far more than will fit in the box. Some of our boxes have had tracking, so we could see where in the world they ended up.

This year we are doing it closer to home, packing Christmas boxes through our church for other kids right here in our town. It is the same heart behind the Jesse Tree: Christmas is a gift God gave first, and He still uses families like ours to pass it on.

Tips for Making It Work in a Busy Season

• Keep it short. Five to ten minutes is enough. The goal is consistency, not a long lesson.
• Pick one time. Breakfast, supper, or bedtime all work. Tie it to something you already do every day.
• Don’t worry about starting late. If you miss a day, read two the next day. Advent is about turning your hearts toward Jesus, not keeping a perfect record.
• Let the kids hang the ornaments. Taking turns gives everyone a part.
• Let the Bible do the work. You don’t have to explain every detail. Read it, ask what stood out, and trust God to speak.

And when the weeks feel crowded, remember what the angel told the shepherds:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Get the Printable KJV Jesse Tree Set

I made a printable Jesse Tree set so you can start without gathering a pile of supplies. It’s a 49-page PDF with all the Scripture in the King James Version:

• 25 daily devotional pages, each with the passage, a short explanation, questions to talk about, how it points to Jesus, a prayer, and an activity
• 25 ornaments to color and cut out
• 25 verse cards
• Verse tracing pages for handwriting practice
• A numbered tree page for placing your ornaments
• A tracker, prayer journal pages, a keepsake page, and a certificate of completion

You can get the Jesse Tree set right here in my shop. It’s an instant digital download, so you can print it at home and begin right away.

If you’re looking for something different this Advent, my Prepare Him Room KJV Family Advent Devotional is a separate 25-day family devotional with its own readings, and the Advent Devotional Bundle pairs it with a devotional journal for women. To plan the rest of the season, there’s also The Christmas Bundle.

Start Small This Advent

You don’t need a perfect tree or a perfect schedule. A bare branch in a jar and a few paper ornaments is enough. What matters is that your family spends a few minutes each day looking at the One God promised and sent. May this be a season where Jesus gets the first place in your home.

Looking for more ways to keep Christ at the center this season? Read Preparing Your Heart for the Holiday Season.