Nativity Scene with Jesse Tree Symbols

We wish you a blessed Christmas! A highlight of our quilting year was seeing this outstanding Nativity Scene. It is 17 feet long and has removable Jesse Tree symbols used to celebrate the advent. We enjoyed talking to the artist, whose work was featured at the Houston International Quilt Festival.

Nativity Scene with Jesse Tree Symbols by David LaPlaca (West Chicago, Illinois, USA)

The large quilt is comprised of four overlapping panels (6' x 17'6") that depict a colorful Nativity scene.  Included in the tree branches at the left, and extended across the sky like stars, are the 16 Jesse Tree symbols, suggesting stories from the Bible that point to God's faithfulness as people waited for the Messiah to come. Each Jesse Tree ornament and nativity figure is removable and may be added to the background layer during the weeks of Advent.  

David LaPlaca explains: "To involve congregants of all ages in advent celebration, I combined our church's tradition of Jesse Tree symbols and the traditional Nativity scene with heightened colors and patterns. The back panels were hung first with a shepherd or two, and with each following week of Advent, more symbols and characters were added until completed by Christmas week. Children progressed through the sanctuary with the nativity characters on Christmas eve."

Designer, teacher, and weekend quilter, David LaPlaca creates works of art for kids, home, and sacred celebrations. This original design combines Jesse Tree traditional ornaments; Mexican folk art (color palette); and fabric designs by Tula Pink & Kaffe Fassett, along with colorful batiks. Techniques used include hand embellishment, machine applique, embroidery, and quilting; and stitch drawing.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival. For more information and a gallery of his work, please visit David LaPlaca's website.