Our Jesse Tree

We’ve been using the Jesse Tree to shape our Advent celebration for almost twenty years. Early on we had only a booklet of daily readings, but over the years we added—creating our own devotional series (that carries through the 12 Days of Christmas!) and crafting ornaments to accompany each day’s reading. Now all six of our children, 20s to tot, eagerly join in the celebration. We use the readings on this website and finish each evening with hanging the day’s Jesse Tree ornament.

Find out more about how we celebrate with so many ages here, or scroll down to get crafting! These ornaments are easy to make, but take a bit of time. At the end, however, you’ll have beautiful keepsakes that can be used year after year.

We made ours extra tiny and store them in little boxes make from leftover Christmas cards.

Jesse Tree Day 2: Fall Into Sin

An eerily creepy snake wrapped around fruit sends shivers down our spines on the second day of our Advent celebration. 

What You’ll need

• Oven-bake or air-dry clay or salt dough (note: salt dough must be stored in a dry place or it will disintegrate!)

• Acrylic paints, glitter, glue

• Jewelry-making or needle-nosed pliers

• Flat-bottomed head pin for hanging

• Small twig & toothpick

• (optional) Two very tiny red beads

Instructions

1.

Shape a small ball from clay. Make it slightly egg-shaped.

2.

Flatten the top and bottom slightly.

3.

Press a toothpick into the top to make an indentation like the top of an apple.

4.

Gently push headpin through bottom.

5.

Roll a slithery snake (slightly fatter at one end for the head, and pointy for the tail) about 2” long.

6.

Wrap snake around fruit.

7.

Use a toothpick to add details: eyes for the snake (add tiny, shiny red beads for an ominous look), mouth, scales.

8. Press a piece of twig into the fruit for a stem, and add leaves.

9.

Dry according to package directions.

10.

Paint as desired.

11.

Carefully bend headpin into hook with pliers.

Resources and Links

Find inspiration for other Jesse Tree Ornament designs at our Jesse Tree Pinterest Board.

For simpler ornaments, use one of our Joy of Advent printables (linked below).

We use Sculpey clay and the materials listed below (affiliate links—support our site without adding to your cost).