The Jesse Tree Series: Chi Rho Christmas Day

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

What does Christmas Day entail for our Jesse tree?

THE SON OF GOD

SCRIPTURE: John 1:1-18. 

As we complete our Jesse Tree Series, it is though we are back to the beginning. This passage starts with 'In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God...' At the beginning of our Jesse Tree series we focused on God and Creation. This passage completes the cycle, since our focus once again is on the person of God. This time however, the birth of Christ, His Son brings to fruition the promises made through the prophets to send the Messiah who would save them from their sins.

THE PERSON: SON OF GOD.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.  He humbled himself to be born of a woman-Mary, in order that humanity may be saved from their sins. He is the Anointed One, chosen to place humanity at rights again with God.

He was the One whose reign will never end from the descendant of the King of David.

THE EVENT/THEME: THE SON OF GOD:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of the Son of God.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of gratefulness for His birth so that we may be saved.

2.            Rediscover the delights of the Christmas story.

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is the Son of God, we may wish to:

o        Listen, read and hear the Christmas story with fresh ears and discover a fresh insight. Ask Jesus who saved you to point you to this insight.

o        Make time to visit the manger and ponder there each day during Christmastide season.

SYMBOL 28: CHI RHO SYMBOL

Let us remember all the characters of the Christmas story.  Let us welcome Jesus into our lives and worship the Son of God as we prepare our twenty eighth symbol (twenty-seven cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.

This now concludes the Jesse Tree Series. I hope that by focusing on the scripture, person, events/themes and symbol teach day during Advent hat you may have gained a greater understanding of the Jesse Tree story.

May I wish all my readers my brothers and sisters in Christ

a very happy Christmas.

Remember Christmas is not just a day

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

The Jesse Tree Series: The Birth do the Messiah Christmas Eve.

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

What does Christmas Eve entail for our Jesse tree?

BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20. The Birth of Jesus.

Luke describes the birth of Jesus in simple language. The title Christ is the Greek from of the Hebrew word 'Messiah' which means 'anointed'. Christ is the Anointed One. In the Old Testament, the title 'Lord is used only for Yahweh. Jesus was established as Christ and Lord Lord at the time of His Resurrection.

THE PERSON: JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.  He humbled himself to be born of a woman-Mary, in order that humanity may be saved from their sins and that the gates of heaven would be re-opened, after they were closed after the sin of Adam and Eve. It is important to remember that Jesus had a mission to save humanity- He was the anointed one, chosen to be born, suffer death on a cross and to rise again so that humanity may be placed at rights again with God.

He was the one whose reign will never end from the descendant of the King of David.

THE EVENT/THEME: THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of the birth of the Messiah.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of thankfulness for His birth so that we may be saved.

2.            Rediscover the wonderment of the Christmas story.

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is the birth of the Messiah, we may wish to:

o        Gain a greater appreciation of the birth of the Messiah for our lives-what difference does it make to my life?

o        During this pending Christmastide season, listen, read and hear the Christmas story with fresh ears and discover a fresh insight which has not occurred to you previously. Ask Jesus who saved you to point you to this insight.

o        Make time to visit the manger and ponder there each day during Christmastide season.

SYMBOL 27:THE MANGER

Let us remember Jesus who was born as a baby from Mary his mother and Joseph. his foster father.  Let us welcome Jesus into our lives we prepare our twenty seventh symbol (twenty sixth cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.

The Jesse Tree Series: Trust- Thursday of the 4th week of Advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES

 -

What does Thursday of the 4th Week of Advent entail for our Jesse tree?

TRUST

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25.

THE PERSON: JOSEPH 

Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. He was a man of faith himself, believed what the angel had told him in the dream and took immediate action. He did not delay or procrastinate to take Mary home as his wife.He had trust in God, trust in the angel's message in his dream and trust in Mary.

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

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer to strengthen our ability to trust especially in difficult circumstances or in situations we do not understand.

2.            Rediscover the gift of trust and in what ways this gift could operate more effectively in our lives.

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

o        Hand over a situation in trust to God to do what He sees fit in our best interest.

o        Prepare spiritually for the birth of Christ in our lives- what difference will this Christmas make to our spiritual growth?

SYMBOL 26:THE TOOLS OF THE CARPENTER

Let us remember Joseph. He was told in a cream about the pregnancy of Mary. Being an man of honour he Married Mary and prepared for the birth of Jesus. Let us welcome Jesus into our lives we prepare our twenty sixth symbol (twenty fifth cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.

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.

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.

The Jesse Tree Series: The Hope for a Future- Monday of the 4th Week of Advent

THE JESSE TREE SERIES:

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

THE HOPE OF A FUTURE.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38. THE ANNUNCIATION.

After telling the story of Zechariah being told of John the Baptist's birth, Luke continues with the story of the Annunciation. The whole passage radiates joy, the joy of the messianic times foretold by the prophets and now coming to pass.  Mary stands as the representative of the people- she is full of grace.  God had made her the object of His favour, his love and His grace.  The child who will be born in her of the Holy Spirit is the glorious descendant of David and 'this reign will have no end'. 
He is the promised Messiah, the Saviour awaited by the remnant of Israel and the poor of God.

THE PERSON: MARY 

Mary is the mother of Jesus- the woman chosen by God to bear Jesus in her womb and to give birth.  Mary was under no obligation to say yes to God, just as we have free will to say yes or no to God. Mary's yes gave hope for a future.

THE EVENT/THEME: THE HOPE FOR A FUTURE:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of the hope for a future.

We may wish to

1.            Offer a prayer of thankfulness for Mary's consent to be the mother of Jesus.

2.            Rediscover the wonderment of pregnancy and childbirth

3.            Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is the hope for a future, we may wish to:

·                     Listen to what God is asking of us and commit to say Yes to Him.

·                     Enter into the world of an expectant mother- listen to her joys and fears of the impending birth of her child.

·                     Commit to doing something today that could give hope for a future to someone in need. ( For example: Listen to a person who is suffering depression or post-natal depression or give to a charity who helps people to change their lives and have hope in the future).

SYMBOL 23: WHITE LILY

Let us remember Mary. Her word to the angel 'may it happen to me as you have said' brought hope for a future. God entered humanity through her trust and humility. Let us continue to trust in God's promise to us as we prepare our twenty third symbol (twenty second cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.

The Jesse Tree Series: Repentance: 4th Sunday of Advent

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

REPENTANCE.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1: 5-25, Lk 1:57-80

THE PERSON: JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets and his mission was to point the way to Christ. His preaching focused on repentance and he invites us to make our paths straight and make a highway for our God.

  THE EVENT/THEME: REPENTANCE:  During our reflection time today, let us ponder on the theme of repentance in our lives.

We may wish to

1. Offer a prayer asking God to heighten our awareness of our sins and to repent of them
2. Rediscover the sacrament of Reconciliation
3. Make a practical commitment: As today's theme is Repentance, we may wish to:

• Take some time to reflect on our need for repentance and prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Establish a regular time to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation during this liturgical year (if you do not already have one), and if you do, make a re commitment to maintain this good habit in your spiritual growth. Let us not leave this sacrament to chance in our lives.

SYMBOL 22: THE MESSENGERS

Let us remember Zechariah (John the Baptist's father).  When Zechariah is praying in the temple, archangel Gabriel announces the birth of his son, John the Baptist, who is to prepare the Lord's people for his coming. .May we pray for an increase in faith as we prepare our twenty second symbol (twenty first cut out symbol) and place it on the tree.