“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.” Isaiah 11:1
This morning, Sophie and I were excited to begin preparing our hearts for Jesus’ coming into the world. Over the next 25 days, we will read the corresponding Scripture and message, then hang that days ornament. On Christmas Day, the Jesse Tree—Jesus’ family tree, will be fully decorated. Today, Sophie read the corresponding message, Scripture, and hung the first ornament—Day 1-the picture of a stump.
In the introduction to The Wonder of the Greatest Gift, An Interactive Family Celebration Of Advent, Ann Voskamp writes:
“The story of Christmas doesn’t begin on December 25, and it doesn’t begin when the decorations go up in stores. It doesn’t begin with the Baby in the manger. No, the story of Christmas begins at the very beginning.
All around you right now you see people putting up Christmas trees. But in God’s love letter to us, you’ll find another kind of tree—the family tree of Jesus. The Bible is filled with stories that trace the branches of Jesus’ family, with limbs that go back to His great-great grandfathers and great-great grandmothers. One of these many-many-great-great-grandfathers of Jesus was Jesse.”
Today, REST in the knowledge that Jesus came to earth for you and me—to give us life abundantly and eternally. He is the HOPE of the world!!
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