Jesse was King David’s Father. Since Jesus was born into the line of King David, The "Jesse" Tree symbolizes Jesus’ lineage. “And a shoot shall rise from the stump of Jesse.” (Isaiah 11:1)
Since, by our Baptism, we are grafted onto that tree, we can establish our place on Christ’s family tree when we allow our love and compassion to show forth.
At the beginning of Advent, the St. Francis de Sales church reaches out to local families and individuals in need during the holy season. This outreach to the community’s school, food pantry, shut-ins, and local churches produces the gift requests that will adorn the Jesse Tree for two weeks. Volunteers help collate and create colorful gift tags to hang on the bare tree. Parishioners can choose gift tags from the tree, enabling them to purchase food gifts for a family, clothing for children, or to bake homemade cookies for individuals living alone.
The gifts are returned to the Jesse Tree which has been transformed into a lush and green Christmas tree. Volunteers help assemble gift packages for the families and individuals...and add toys generously contributed by the Classic Car Club of Big Indian.
Through the Jesse Tree project, our church serves the less fortunate in our community during the Christmas season. Our Christian mission is to serve and to “do unto others…” as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you to all those who give so generously each year of their time and talents to make this outreach possible!!