It is a mistake to think that our faith began with the birth of Jesus. Jesus did not fall from the sky, unrelated to other human beings. Jesus was born a Jew, and he lived and died as a Jew. The Jewish people became the chosen people of God because of a covenant made with Jesus’ ancestors. This covenant was renewed with each faithful generation. Through Jesus we belong to the same family of faith. Jesus’ ancestors are our ancestors. The God of Jesus and Israel is our God, too. Advent is the time in the church year when we get in touch with our roots—our faith roots. Who are we? What do we believe? Where are we going? These are all-important questions of faith that we, along with every generation, must ask. The Jesse Tree reminds us during Advent that we are not alone on our faith journey. We are not setting out on a new course without role models to help us find our way. The people of the Old Testament and the New Testament journeyed long before us. We look to them and to the people of faith in our families and church community for help in finding our way through Advent’s questions to the joy and new birth of Christmas.

Family Activity Make a Jesse Tree. The tree could be drawn on butcher paper, or a tree branch with symbols could be used. • Select the symbols you will use. See the examples on this page. Make the symbols out of paper or felt. • You will need construction paper or felt, markers or crayons, and scissors. • Display the Jesse Tree where everyone can admire it. See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information. See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.