LCH Children lead the congregation in Jesse Tree devotions

On the four Sundays of Advent, the LCH Children invite the entire congregation to their presentation of the Jesse Tree in the nave between morning worship services.

Jesse Tree Study Guide

Jesse Tree

Sometimes called the Root of Jesse or radix Jesse in Latin, the Jesse Tree is a visual representation of Jesus’ genealogy dating back to Jesse, the father of David. The Jesse Tree is found in the writings of Church Fathers, Latin hymns, and in visual arts—especially during the 12th to 16th centuries.

The Children of LCH present their own version of the Jesse Tree, based on Jesse Tree: Advent Song and Paraliturgies for Children by Denis J. Newman (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001). The presentation is led by Vicki Gorman, with help from all the Sunday School teachers.

(Click on any of the symbols on the Jesse Tree to go to the entry on the Study Guide.)

Each week’s presentation is divided into segments referring to key figures in the genealogy. Each segment begins with one child who introduces the character by describing key events in their life.

Another child then sings about that person.

In response, a third child hangs the individual’s symbol on the Jesse Tree.

All sing the refrain: Jesse Tree, Jesse Tree

The children and congregation then sing the Jesse Tree chorus:

Jesse Tree, Jesse Tree,
sign of God’s fidelity,
that he may love eternally—
the promise made to Noah,
and Abraham and Isaac,
and Jacob on a journey,
and Joseph and the tribes;
and as well to Moses,
and David who’d be king,
and Solomon, his son,
and Jonah in the sea;
to prophets like Isaiah,
and to Ruth, a woman wise,
and Daniel in the den,
and to John who baptized;
and last made to Mary,
and Joseph in a dream,
was Jesus, Son of God,
who came here to redeem;
all who waited for the coming of Emmanuel.

Older children playing Orff instruments to accompany the Jesse Tree chorus.

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Jesse Tree Study Guide
Week	Persons	Events/Themes	Scriptures	Symbols
Week One	Noah	The Flood, Obedience	Gen. 6:9-22, 7:17-19, 8:6-12	Ark
	Abraham and Isaac	The Promise	Gen. 22:1-13, 15-18	Ram
	Jacob	Assurance of the Promise	Gen. 28:10-22	Stairway
	Joseph	God’s Providence	Gen. 37	Tunic
Week Two	Moses	God’s Leadership	Exod. 3:1-12	Burning Bush
	David	A Shepherd for the People	I Sam. 16:14-23	Harp
	Solomon	God’s Justice and Wisdom	I Kings 3:3-15	Crown
	Jonah	Returning to God	Jonah 1:1-16, 2:1	Whale
Week Three	Isaiah	Prophecy	Isa. 35:1-2	Rose
	Ruth	Faithfulness	Ruth 1:15-18	Heart
	Daniel	Courage	Dan. 6:12-28	Lion
	John the Baptist	Repentance	Mark 1:1-8	Shell
Week Four	Mary	The Hope of the Future	Luke 1:26-38	Lily
	Joseph	Trust	Matt. 1:18-24	Carpenter’s Rule
	Jesus	Birth of the Messiah	Luke 2:1-14	Chi-Rho
	Wise Men (Magi)	Worship	Matt. 2:1-12	Star

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