Jesse Tree

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

1st Wednesday of Advent December 4, 2024  Abraham and Sarah Symbol=Starry sky What promises are we given? Our only promise is the unflagging love of God. Abraham and Sarah moved away from home, suffered abuse, and knew the pain of infertility. Have you had to uproot in any way, borne hardships, or felt the pain of disappointment?

1st Tuesday of Advent December 3, 2024  Noah Symbol=Ark The sirens are blaring—a tornado is coming. The hurricane has intensified—you must evacuate now. A tsunami warning is issued—you must evacuate now. The fire jumped the break—you must evacuate now. The pathology report is dire—get your affairs in order now. When faced with death, in whatever form—lifestyle or

1st Monday of Advent December 2, 2024   Adam and Eve. Symbol= Apples To desire knowledge and work toward gaining it are good and noble pursuits. But we must be careful about where we get our knowledge/information. Not all sources are equal or trustworthy.  It is up to us to judge the validity of what we read or hear—what

1st Sunday of Advent December 1, 2024  Creation.  Symbol=Earth Terrifyingly cold and dark while relentlessly the ferocious roaring wind blew. Eternally vast was the nothingness, the lifelessness, the chaos. Yet, in an instant with a voice louder than the wind, goodness stronger than the cold, and love deeper than the darkness, God changed everything. God tamed the chaos

Dear followers, I am going to share a different type of Jesse Tree thought this year. These will not be for children. They are intended to be a bit hard hitting–a commentary on the state of the nation and world. I want us to wake up, get involved, and work to protect our democracy and