Jesse Tree Readings and Symbols: 25 Days of Advent (Free Printable)
By Shadush Sachiska· 8 min read
In this article
The Jesse Tree is a simple Advent tradition with deep roots. Each day in December, your family reads one Bible story and hangs a small ornament on a branch or tree. By Christmas Day, the tree is full — and you've walked through the whole story of God's promises, from the first garden to the manger in Bethlehem.
Below you'll find the complete Jesse Tree readings for December 1–25, the symbol and meaning for each day, simple ways to make your own Jesse Tree, and free printable ornaments for children to color.
What is a Jesse Tree?
A Jesse Tree is a family tree of Jesus that tells the story of salvation. Its name comes from a promise in Isaiah:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.Isaiah 11:1–2 (KJV)
Jesse was the father of King David. By Isaiah's time, David's royal family looked like a tree chopped down to a stump. But God promised that a new shoot would grow from it — a King from David's line. Christians see that promise fulfilled in Jesus, who was born into David's family (Matthew 1:1; Romans 15:12).
In the Middle Ages, artists showed this family tree in stained-glass “Jesse windows,” such as the famous 12th-century window at Chartres Cathedral in France. Families today use the same idea at home during Advent.
Jesse Tree readings and symbols for December 1–25
Read one passage each day and hang the matching ornament. The readings move through the Old Testament to the Christmas story.
| Day | Story and reading | Ornament symbol and meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | Creation Genesis 1:1–2:3 | Sun and earth. God made everything good, and the Savior's story starts with the world He made. |
| Dec 2 | Adam and Eve Genesis 3:1–15 | Apple and serpent. Sin enters the world, and God promises the serpent-crusher (3:15). |
| Dec 3 | Noah Genesis 6:11–22; 9:8–17 | Ark and rainbow. God saves Noah's family and makes a covenant of mercy. |
| Dec 4 | Abraham Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–6 | Night sky full of stars. God promises Abraham descendants as many as the stars and a blessing for all nations. |
| Dec 5 | Isaac Genesis 22:1–14 | Ram caught in a thicket. God provides a sacrifice in Isaac's place, pointing to the Lamb of God. |
| Dec 6 | Jacob Genesis 28:10–22 | Ladder. Heaven is opened to a runaway; Jesus later calls Himself the ladder (John 1:51). |
| Dec 7 | Joseph Genesis 37:3–11; 50:15–21 | Coat of many colors. What others meant for evil, God used for good. |
| Dec 8 | Moses Exodus 3:1–15 | Burning bush. God reveals His name and promises to rescue His people. |
| Dec 9 | The Passover Exodus 12:1–13 | Lamb. The lamb's blood saves Israel, a picture of Jesus our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). |
| Dec 10 | The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1–17 | Stone tablets. God gives His law, showing His holiness and our need for a Savior. |
| Dec 11 | Joshua Joshua 6:1–20 | Trumpet. The walls of Jericho fall; God keeps His promise of the land. |
| Dec 12 | Ruth Ruth 1:16–17; 4:13–17 | Sheaf of wheat. A foreign widow joins God's people and becomes David's great-grandmother. |
| Dec 13 | Samuel 1 Samuel 3:1–10 | Oil lamp. “Speak; for thy servant heareth” — God calls a boy to be His prophet. |
| Dec 14 | Jesse Isaiah 11:1–10 | Stump with a green shoot. From the family of Jesse comes the promised King — the reason for the Jesse Tree. |
| Dec 15 | David 1 Samuel 16:1–13 | Shepherd's harp. The shepherd boy becomes king, and God promises his throne will last forever. |
| Dec 16 | Solomon 1 Kings 3:5–14 | Crown. God gives wisdom to David's son, who builds the temple. |
| Dec 17 | Elijah 1 Kings 18:30–39 | Fire on an altar. God shows He alone is the true God. |
| Dec 18 | Isaiah Isaiah 9:2–7 | Scroll. The prophet announces a child who will be the Prince of Peace. |
| Dec 19 | Jonah Jonah 1:17–2:10 | Great fish. Three days in the fish point to Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 12:40). |
| Dec 20 | Micah Micah 5:2–5 | Little town of Bethlehem. The Ruler of Israel will be born in a small town. |
| Dec 21 | Zechariah and Elizabeth Luke 1:5–25 | Incense burner. God answers an old couple's prayer with a son, John. |
| Dec 22 | John the Baptist Luke 1:57–80; Matthew 3:1–6 | Scallop shell (baptism). John prepares the way for the Lord. |
| Dec 23 | Mary Luke 1:26–38 | White lily. Mary says yes to God's plan to send His Son through her. |
| Dec 24 | Joseph Matthew 1:18–25 | Carpenter's hammer. Joseph trusts God, takes Mary as his wife and names the baby Jesus. |
| Dec 25 | Jesus is born Luke 2:1–20 | Manger and star. The promised Savior is born — the top of the Jesse Tree. |
Download the free printable Jesse Tree ornaments
Jesse Tree symbols and meanings by theme
The 25 ornaments fall into four stages of the story. Many families talk about one stage each week.
Week 1: The beginning (December 1–7)
Creation, the fall, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. These ornaments show how God made a good world, how sin broke it, and how He chose one family to carry His promise. For more on these chapters, see our Genesis chapter summaries.
Week 2: A people for God (December 8–14)
Moses, the Passover, the Ten Commandments, Joshua, Ruth, Samuel and Jesse. God rescues His people, gives them His law, brings them into the land and prepares the family of David.
Week 3: Kings and prophets (December 15–20)
David, Solomon, Elijah, Isaiah, Jonah and Micah. Kings rise and fall, and the prophets keep pointing to a perfect King still to come. Our Isaiah chapter summaries explain the prophecies behind several of these ornaments.
Week 4: The Savior arrives (December 21–25)
Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph and finally the manger. The promises come true in Bethlehem.
How to make a Jesse Tree
You don't need anything expensive. Choose whichever option suits your home:
- A bare branch: collect a branch from the yard, stand it in a vase or pot filled with stones, and hang ornaments with string or ribbon.
- A small tabletop tree: a separate small tree keeps the Jesse ornaments special and apart from the Christmas tree.
- A felt tree on the wall: great for toddlers, since felt ornaments stick without hooks.
- A poster tree: draw a tree on large paper and tape or glue an ornament on each day.
Making the ornaments
- Print the free ornaments on card stock if you can.
- Let children color or draw the symbol in each circle on the day you read the story.
- Cut them out, punch a hole at the top and add ribbon or string.
- Keep them in an envelope after Christmas. Many families reuse the same set every year and add new ones as children grow.
How to do the Jesse Tree with kids
- Pick a regular time. Breakfast, after dinner or bedtime all work. Each day takes about 10 minutes.
- Read or tell the story. Older children can read the passage aloud; for little ones, use a children's Bible or retell it in your own words.
- Talk about the symbol. Ask, “Why do you think this ornament is a ladder?”
- Connect it to Jesus. Each story points forward to Him. Ask, “How does this remind us of Jesus?”
- Hang the ornament and pray. A one-sentence prayer of thanks is enough.
Missed a few days? Simply read two stories at once, or skip ahead. The goal is joy, not perfect attendance.
Jesse Tree or Advent reading plan: which should you use?
Both lead to Christmas through Scripture, but they suit different households:
| Jesse Tree | Advent Bible reading plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families with young children | Adults, teens and mixed-age families |
| Focus | People in Jesus' family story | God's promises and the prophecies of Christmas |
| Hands-on part | An ornament every day | A family question every day |
| Printable | Ornaments to color | One-page checklist |
Many families use both: the Jesse Tree with children in the morning, and the Advent plan for adults in the evening.
Why the Jesse Tree matters
It's easy to read the Christmas story as if it began in Bethlehem. The Jesse Tree shows that it began much earlier — in God's promise in Eden, carried through Abraham, David and the prophets. When your children hang the manger ornament at the top of a full tree, they can see that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God made.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
What is a Jesse Tree?
A Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition that traces Jesus' family tree and God's plan of salvation through 25 Bible stories. Its name comes from Isaiah 11:1: “There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,” the father of King David.
When do you start the Jesse Tree?
Most families start on December 1 and read one story a day until Christmas. Some start on the first Sunday of Advent, which in 2026 is November 29.
What is the difference between a Jesse Tree and an Advent calendar?
An Advent calendar counts down the days to Christmas. A Jesse Tree does the same, but each day adds a Bible story and an ornament, so by Christmas you've walked through the whole story leading to Jesus.
What do you use for a Jesse Tree?
Anything that looks like a tree: a bare branch in a vase, a small tabletop tree, a felt tree on the wall or a tree drawn on poster paper. You also need 25 ornaments — paper, felt, wood or the printable ones on this page.
Is the Jesse Tree Catholic or Protestant?
Both. The image comes from medieval churches, such as the stained-glass Jesse windows in cathedrals, and today Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox families all use Jesse Trees.
What age is the Jesse Tree for?
Children from about 3 to 12 enjoy it most, but the readings work for any age. For toddlers, retell the story in your own words; older children can read the passage aloud.
