Jesse was father to David,
and in David's house was our story begun.
He had been blessed by a prophet who said
that in this house, God's
work would be done.
Jesus was born in just one thousand years,
bringing His blessings to still all our fears,
And the words of the prophet were seen to come true in God's Son.
Chorus:
Here's a tree to please us.
At its top is Jesus.
From the
stump of Jesse there shot forth this lovely tree.
Mary was its scion
And the crown of Zion.
On its branches hangs God's history for you and me.
As we prepare for the season of Advent,
we decorate this Jesse tree.
children have made all these ornaments
that we now hang on its branches to see.
Joseph's coat's there, and we see Jonah's whale.
And there's a dove from the Ark that set sail
And returned with an olive branch brought back from over the sea.
Chorus
Blessed from his birth, John, the greatest of prophets,
came forth from the desert to say:
"You must repent, and be baptized,
and shriven of sin to make ready his way.
Pray, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Soon, a Messiah will walk through this land,
And the mountains make low, and the crooked make straight on that day.
Chorus
High on the tree is the Mother of Jesus,
whom we celebrate in her song.
In Mary's eyes 'twas the poor who were rich
and the sick and the weak who were strong.
Yes, Holy Mother, we do give you laud,
You who gave birth to our Savior and God
On that night when all people and angels were singing along.
Chorus
O Jesse tree, you'll be with us again
as we pass through this new Holy Year.
Helping, reminding us through all our struggles
that Jesus, our Saviour, is near.
First, there's Epiphany, then there is Lent,
Then a dear cross from your branches is bent,
And the words of the prophet are seen to come true now and here.
Chorus
Reprise three of the last lines of each of the verses.