The Jesse tree Series: Joy-Tuesday of the Fourth week of advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

What does Tuesday of the Fourth week of Advent entail for our Jesse Tree?

JOY

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:239-56. THE VISITATION OF MARY TO HER COUSIN ELIZABETH

Mary who was expecting Jesus herself, travelled a long distance to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was not only expecting a baby (in her 6th month), but was advanced in years. For a woman to be barren in those days was considered that the Lord had not blessed them completely. Elizabeth had been barren for many years and felt shame and humiliation, but she trusted in God's purpose for her life. God chose to lift this burden from her and allowed her to become pregnant in her old age since 'nothing is impossible with God'.

THE PERSON: ELIZABETH

Elizabeth is mother of John the Baptist whom she conceived in her old age. Mary was told about it by the angel Gabriel and after she heard, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was overwhelmed with a visit from the mother of my Lord. The two babies-Jesus and John the Baptist leap for joy in their mother's womb.

THE EVENT/THEME: JOY:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of joy.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of gratitude for our mother and for all mothers.

2.            Rediscover the joy that a pregnancy can bring to a family

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is joy, we may wish to:

·                     Savour the joy when we are visited by the Lord when we are in prayer.

·                     Enter into the world of an expectant mother- listen to her joy as the child leaps in her womb for the first time. 

·                     Commit to visiting someone in need today (especially a pregnant woman) and bring to them the joy of the Lord. You may wish to prepare a meal, something for the biscuit tin or a sweet to take with you on your visit or you may wish to invite the expectant mum to your home for some pampering and joy filled moments.

·                     Rediscover and recall the joy that we experience when God lifts our burden from us and gives us what we hoped and longed for.

SYMBOL 24:MOTHER AND CHILD 

Let us remember Elizabeth. The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth where both babies recognize each other in the womb is a joyful event. Like Mary, let us praise God for the great things He has done for us as we prepare our twenty fourth symbol (twenty third cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.