Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Jesse Tree Series: Anticipation- wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:
What does Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent entail for our Jesse tree?
ANTICIPATION
SCRIPTURE: Luke 57:80: the Hymn of prophecy.
THE PERSON: Zechariah 
Zechariah is father of John the Baptist, born by Elizabeth his wife and both of them were advanced in years. Zechariah had been silenced by the angel because he did not believe that he was to become a father. in his old age. However, after John the Baptist was born, he wrote on the tablet 'His name is John'. His speech returned after he had spoken God's message
THE EVENT/THEME: ANTICIPATION:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of anticipation.
We may wish to
1.            Offer a prayer in anticipation for the birth of Christ in our lives again this Christmas.
2.            Rediscover the importance of a child's name and how it can provide clear clues as to the personality of the child.
3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is anticipation, we may wish to:
·                     Choose a name carefully for your unborn child. You may wish to consider all your choices, but if you feel drawn to one name, then it might be that this is what God is wanting this baby to be called.
·                     Follow the promptings of the Lord in our decision making.
·                     Spend some time 'being dumb' with a friend or spouse on an upcoming event in your life (an appropriate explanation would be needed) and experience something of the anticipation that Zechariah may have felt at the impending birth of John the Baptist and yet not be able to communicate it verbally.

SYMBOL 25: THE SPIRIT OF GOD 
OR PENCIL AND TABLET


Let us remember Zechariah. In his hymn of prophecy Zechariah spoke God's message.  John was to be the way of preparation.  John the Baptist prepared himself by living in the desert where he was filled with the Spirit. Let us remain open to the spirit in our lives as we prepare our twenty fifth symbol (twenty fourth cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.




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