Jesse Tree (Advent)

Scenes:
Entrance
Stained glass
Stations (main)
Stations (lower)

Ambo
Cemetery
Children
Cornerstone
Crucifix
Devotional candles
Baptismal font
St. Francis
Holy water
Jesse tree
St. Joseph
Choir loft
Mall
St. Mary
Monstrance
Nativity scene
Nave
Rededication
McGovern plaque
Thorpe plaque
Predieu
Proc. crucifix
Ramp
Rectory
School
St. Patrick (in)
St. Patrick (out)
Tabernacle
Tenebrae
Vigil candle

Other sections:
Calendar
Church & ministry
Scenes
School
Organizations

Isaiah 11 defines the real tree of Jesse: "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him." Jesse fathered King David, who ruled justly. Each generation was a new sprout of hope in that family tree, right down to Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 23:5, Matthew 1:5-6).

So modern Christian tradition dovetails the secular Christmas tree with that of the Jesse tree as we await the shoot of Jesus during Advent: Hand-made ornaments are hung on the tree.

At St. Patrick's church, our school-age youth make the decorations. A practical gift idea is written on the back. Parishioners take an ornament or two early in Advent, then return later in the season with the gift, a donation of hope for those less fortunate.

	Ahead: Tabernacle
Left: Holy water		Right: Ambo