Day 17 Advent Jesse Tree

Today is Day 17 of the Advent Calendar Jesse Tree devotions. The symbol, or ornament, for Day 17 is that of a cross.

The scriptures are Isaiah 53; and

Luke 2:8-18; John 19:11-18 and John 10:15 -"I lay down my life for the sheep."

The Old Testament and the New Testament readings correspond by exposing the meaning of Christmas. We celebrate the birth of a baby only because of that baby's fulfillment of prophecy in the sacrifice on the cross followed up by His resurrection from the dead. He now rules at the right hand of God in heaven. Without this life-ending victory at the cross, there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas. In the words of Dean Lambert:

Little baby in a manger, You came to earth a tiny stranger, But soon the world would know You'd give the greatest gift of love.

You came to earth to die on Calvary Bear the pain and shame to die for me. I can't believe it - but it's so.

For you gave up your throne in glory. All the pow'r of the world was in your hands. You gave up your right to be ruler, You gave it up - to Just Be A Man.

Your kingdom was not to be worldly, Even tho' you could reign throughout the land. Your glory grew dim as a baby, and it was all a part of God's PLAN.

Little baby in a manger, You came to earth a tiny stranger. I found a home for you today, Come in my heart and always stay.

Activity: Consider activities that would typically be done at Easter such as making resurrection rolls.

Today's ornament for the Jesse Tree is the symbol of a cross. A cross can be handmade by tying together two small twigs or in a variety of other ways.

Day 13 Advent Jesse Tree

Today is Day 13 of the Advent Calendar Jesse Tree devotions. The symbol, or ornament, for Day 13 is that of a stump with fresh shoot or leaf. The picture in this article is one of a tree stump taken from a rain forest. While, it has been uprooted & springs no life; the stump of Jesse with a sprout of green life coming from it is symbolic of the coming savior. This stump - The stump of Jesse - would spring forth life in the form of one who would save the world from all sin.

The scriptures are Isaiah 11:1-5; and

John 1:14 - "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we behelf his glory."

The Old Testament and New Testament readings tie together by showing how, according to the Advent Jesse Tree book:

Although God had to warn His people that they would be cut off for a time because of their sins, the prophet Isaiah sang for them a new song of hope. From their brokenness would shoot forth a New Branch. hrist would be firmly planted in righteousness and justice. Through the family tree of Jesse and David, Jesus, the "Anointed One" would come. This is the literal meaning of Messiah, or Christ..

Activity: Lessons about the Jesse Tree.

Today's ornament for the Jesse Tree is the symbol of a stump with a fresh shoot. You can use your imagination and use clay or a branch with a green piece of felt coming from it. I found an ornament at Grace's Merry Go Round Outlet store for 50 cents that is a brown tree with green wire surrounding it.

Day 13 Jesse Tree Advent Calendar

Day 11 Advent Jesse Tree

Today is Day 11 of the Advent Calendar Jesse Tree devotions. The symbol, or ornament, for Day 11 is that of a slingshot.

The scriptures are 1 Samuel 16-17 which is the story of little David killing Goliath (a giant who came out against David's God). David would later become king and is in the lineage of the Messiah. He is also well known for his sin with Bathsheba that snowballed into other horrific acts. Yet, he is referred to by God as "A man after God's own heart." Why? Because, when he was confronted with his sin, he didn't say "I'm only a man, what do you expect - I'm human!" Rather, he cried, confessed and repented. He turned from his sin and sought a pure heart before God. He started out as a shepherd boy as he relates later in Psalms 23 - The Lord is my shepherd. The account also tells how the smallest, most insignificant among us can become great in the hands of God.

There is no New Testament readings for today's devotion.

Activity: There is a great Veggie Tales that tells the story of David & Bathsheba in a way that a child can watch. It's called King George and the Ducky. The activities can also involve the part of the story where the slingshot is involved. If you have a safe target, you can practice killing your "giants." Just make sure you use soft ammunition.

Today's ornament for the Jesse Tree is the symbol of a slingshot. You can make this out of a rubberband and a y-shaped small branch or even a wishbone.

Day 11

Day 10 Advent Jesse Tree

Today is Day 10 of the Advent Calendar Jesse Tree devotions. The symbol, or ornament, for Day 10 is that of a sheaf of wheat.

The scriptures are Ruth 1-4 which is the story of Ruth and her obedience to her God. When her world falls apart, her husband dies leaving her all alone, she sticks with her mother-in-law insisting that "Your people are my people, and your God is my God." The result is she finds a husband, her kinsman redeemer, who ends up in the lineage of Jesus; and

Matthew 1:5 - "Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse."

The Old Testament and New Testament readings tie together by showing how the obedience of one woman, Ruth, to her God brought about a husband for her who would find himself in the lineage of Jesus Christ the Messiah (through the root of Jesse). In addition to this, the term "kinsmen redeemer" is introduced referring to Boaz, giving us a clear picture of how Jesus redeems us.

Activity: Coloring sheets on Ruth

Today's ornament for the Jesse Tree is the symbol of a sheaf of wheat. All you need to make this ornament is a few sprigs of dried wheat tied with a piece of rafia.