Jesse Tree

2nd Saturday of Advent December 14, 2024 Bathsheba Symbol=Bathtub Bathsheba was pregnant by a married man—just not her husband. What a mess for her! Women have always borne the shame and hardship of unwanted or scandalous pregnancies. They are judged harshly. Yet, it takes two to make a baby! Bathsheba is remembered as a “loose” woman. […]

2nd Friday of Advent December 13, 2024 David Symbol=Shepherd David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons. He was a shepherd and was an afterthought when Samuel came to Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king. David was pretty good with a harp and slingshot and became a great king but was a deeply

2nd Thursday of Advent December 12, 2024  Samuel Symbol=Ear The Lord had to call Samuel three times before he understood. How can anyone be so dense! Maybe we don’t understand either! How often do we miss cries for help in a day from others—the sad looking man on the bus, an outstretched hand with a begging cup,

2nd Wednesday of Advent December 11, 2024 Hannah Symbol=Wine Hannah, a barren woman, poured out her heart to the Lord silently begging that her barrenness be removed. The high priest thought she was drunk because she cried and moved her lips but remained silent. What barren and dry hurts do we hold in our hearts silently?

2nd Tuesday of Advent December 10, 2024 Ruth Symbol=Heart Ruth threw herself at the feet of her kinsman hoping for protection. She was a humble and hard-working immigrant and refugee from famine. She went on to become the great-grandmother of King David. We have many hard-working immigrants and refugees in the U.S. They have risked their

2nd Monday of Advent. December 9, 2024 Moses Symbol=Tablets of the Law Moses had a temper! His fuse was short, resulting in murder and smashing the tablets of the law written by God’s own finger. He ever begged God to rid him of these quarrelsome Israelites! There is such a thing as righteous indignation and just

2nd Sunday of Advent December 8, 2024  Joseph  Symbol=Colorful coat Joseph was greatly loved by his father, Jacob. Thus, his ten brothers were jealous and hated him to the point of wanting to kill him. Instead, they sold him to a group of Ishmaelites, who would have been distant relatives. Talk about a dysfunctional family! The pain of

1st Saturday of Advent December 7, 2024  Judah Symbol=Lion Judah received a mixed blessing from his dying father, Jacob, in which he was called a lion and great king and told that he would be rich. This prophecy was made in front of his 11 brothers. Quite a lot to live up to. Having expectations heaped upon

1st Friday of Advent December 6, 2024 Jacob  Symbol=Ladder In a dream, Jacob saw heaven and was promised that God would ever be at his side. Dreams can be funny things, showing us our longings as well as our failures. Freud might say they are our suppressed desires and fears expressing themselves. What fills your dreams—riches, love,

1st Thursday of Advent December 5, 2024. Isaac  Symbol=Bundle of Wood What must have Isaac thought when he saw his father Abraham raise the knife to slaughter him! Have you ever been “stabbed in the back” by someone you thought was your friend, someone you trusted? Betrayal leaves scars, maybe even making it hard to ever trust