Friday December 3, 2021 Jesse Tree-Jacob Isaiah 29:17-24 God refers to himself as the “God of the House of Jacob.” That should make us feel pretty good because Jacob, our ornament for today, was not the best person. He cheated his brother, Esau, out of Isaac’s blessing. He carried a grudge and finally got even with […]
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Thursday December 2, 2021 Jesse Tree-Isaac Matt 7:24-27 Jesus tells us to build our lives on a firm foundation—himself. We cannot be swept away in the tumult of the day if we cling firmly to our foundation of faith. Today we hang an ornament for Isaac. Isaac faced a monumental trial—death at the hand of his
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Wednesday December 1, 2021 Jesse Tree-Abraham and Sarah Isaiah 25:6-10a Isaiah promises that the Lord will remove reproach from his people and fill them with every rich thing—conquering death and bringing joy. In today’s Gospel, Jesus fills those following him with food for both the body and soul. Abraham and Sarah, our Jesse Tree ornaments for
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Tuesday November 30, 2021 Jesse Tree-Noah Matt 4:18-22 Today is the feast of St. Andrew, one of the Twelve. Andrew was called to leave all he knew, get out of his boat, walk on dry land, and follow a new path. He was given no guarantees about what to expect. He trusted and followed. Our Jesse Tree
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Sunday November 28, 2021 Jesse Tree-Creation. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 Paul prays that we might increase in love for one another, to be ready for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today we hang our first ornament on the Jesse tree to symbolize creation. Our increase in love for one another should also manifest itself in
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January 1, 2021 Holy Family Luke 2: 43, 48-52 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us?
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December 31, 2020 Innocents Matt 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. (This story parallels Moses’ story in
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December 30, 2020 Doves Luke 2:22-32, 36-38 When the days were completed for their purification* according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”and
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December 29, 2020 Magi Matt 2:10-11 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew never tells us how many Magi there
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December 28, 2020 Star Matt 2:1-2 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (The star and Magi
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