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Friday

Reading through the Bible in 2022. Join us!

 

 Have you read through the entire Bible? It sounds like a daunting task, but also a great goal for the coming year.

 It’s been a while since I journeyed from cover to cover in the Scriptures, and I’m eager to do this again. Plus, a group of inspiring friends has decided to do this together. Accountability and encouragement count for plenty, when it comes to approaching all 66 books in God’s Holy Word.


 

 Our group is following a plan that takes us through the Bible chronologically, with an eye towards increased understanding of God’s hand in human history. We’re using our own adaptation of a chronological Bible reading plan we found online.

 This is an ambitious goal. It means reading multiple chapters of Scripture each day. Some days, that may come easily. Other days, it may prove to be more challenging. But God promises to meet us in His Word.

 “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, ESV)

 

Want to join us?

 Pick your translation. Read the Bible in printed book form, electronically, or even in audio format. Yes, you can listen to the Bible in a live feed, podcast, CD, or other techy formats, if you want. 

 

 Can’t wait to see what we learn along the way!

 And may God open our minds to understand His Word. (See Luke 24:45.)

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Tuesday

How to Make a Jesse Tree for Christmas

 Family Fun and Holiday Learning During the Advent Season


Amid the excitement and flurry of activity that surrounds holiday season each year, how can families refocus upon the true meaning of Christmas?

 The Jesse Tree family tradition offers excellent teachable moments for parents and children, while tracing the story of God and His people, from Creation to the coming of Christ.

 The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, foretelling the coming of Christ, stated that the Messiah would be born from the root of Jesse, which was the line of Israel's King David. (See Isaiah 11:1-3). From this passage (and others like it) comes the symbolic Jesse Tree.

 Although Jesse Tree kits may be purchased (even in felt or magnet formats), you can add meaning and save money at Christmas time by creating your own Jesse Tree as a family. Simply gather the items listed below, or make them yourself. (Hint: In our home, we like to hang little paper tags on each item to include the appropriate Bible references.)


 

 Families may select various Bible stories and Scripture passages for their Jesse Trees. Following is our own list of family favorites.

 Throughout the month of December, leading up to Christmas Day, ask someone in the family to read the selected Scripture and then hang the appropriate item upon the family’s Jesse Tree.

 NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

 

December 1 – Creation 

Genesis 1 and 2

 Choose a small potted tree to represent the Lord God’s Creation of the earth and all that is in it. If you wish, you might use any sort of tree (artificial or fresh). Some families opt for a plain branch (with several offshoots), which they set in a pot of plaster or putty for a Jesse Tree.

December 2 – Adam and Eve

 Genesis 3

 As you read this account of the fall of man, when Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan to sin, place a small plastic snake on the Jesse Tree today. If you are crafty (but not crafty as the serpent), then you might fashion a snake from play clay, chenille stems or another artistic medium.

 December 3 – Noah and the Great Flood

 Genesis 7 and 8

 These two chapters of the Old Testament tell about Noah and the ark, the pairs of animals, forty days of rain and the rainbow that indicated the flood was over. God sent the rainbow as a promise that He would never destroy the entire world by floodwaters again.

 Make a rainbow from colored ribbons, yarns, chenille stems or even paper to hang on the Jesse Tree on this day.

 December 4 – Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-9

 The Tower of Babel represented the conceit of man, as people tried to build a structure to reach the heavens. God had another plan, and He confused their language. (This was an antithetical foreshadowing of Pentecost, perhaps, but that’s for theologians to discuss, more than young children.)

 Craft a tiny scroll of paper. Singe the edges, if you wish to make it look antique. Write Merry Christmas (or another message) in as many languages as you can, and hang the scroll on the Jesse Tree today.

 December 5 – Abraham

Genesis 12:1-7

In this beloved Bible passage, God promised to make Abraham the father of a great people, who would someday outnumber the stars.

 Place a shiny paper star on the Jesse Tree today to symbolize God’s special people, the Jews, through whose lineage the long-awaited Savior of the world would come.

 December 6 – Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 19:15-29

God destroyed the decadent cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, after repeated prophetic warnings. The people did not repent of their heinous sins, so judgment fell. Lot and his family escaped, led by the Lord. But Lot’s wife turned back, and she was transformed to a pillar of salt.

 Hang a small salt shaker on the Jesse Tree today to stand for Lot’s wife and importance of obedience to God’s instructions.

 December 7- Abraham and Isaac

Genesis 22:1-19

 God instructed Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, and Abraham obeyed. At the last minute, as Abraham piled kindling wood for the burnt offering and lifted his knife to kill the boy, the Lord stopped him. God provided an animal for the sacrifice. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son offers a spiritual parallel to the Lord God’s own sacrifice of His only Son Jesus.

 Tie up a small bundle of wooden matchsticks or toothpicks, and hang them on the Jesse Tree today to symbolize the altar for Abraham’s offering.

 December 8 - Jacob

Genesis 28:10-17

Jacob had a dream about a ladder (or stairway) leading to Heaven. He saw angels walking up and down the steps. Jacob’s vision included the gate of Heaven, with God promising the land to His people and their offspring. This vision foreshadows the coming of the Christ, who would open Heaven’s gates to all who receive Him.

Hang a little toy ladder on the Jesse Tree on this day, or cut a ladder from stiff cardboard to recall Jacob’s vision.

 December 9 – Joseph

Genesis 45

Jacob, father of the twelve sons (and tribes) of Israel, favored his son Joseph and gave him an extravagant multi-colored coat. Joseph dreamed he would one day rule his brothers. They became enraged at the prospect and sold him into slavery. Many years later, Joseph was a leader in Egypt during a time of famine, and he was able to feed his father and brothers. This Bible passage tells of that reunion.

 Tie a small scrap of multi-colored cloth around a branch of the Jesse Tree today to symbolize Joseph’s fancy coat and God’s providence through difficult circumstances.

December 10 – Moses

Exodus 3

This Old Testament passage explains how God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Pharaoh’s Egypt.

 Hang a fiery orange leaf on the Jesse Tree on this day, or paint a pine cone in fiery colors, to represent God’s burning bush.


December 11 – Passover

Exodus 12

 When the Lord God delivered the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, He used a series of plagues. The final one was to slay the firstborn of all of Egypt. The Israelites, however, were spared by the angel of death because they obediently smeared lamb’s blood on the doorposts of their houses.

 In the New Testament, Jesus is called the Passover Lamb, because His shed blood covers the sins of those who trust Him, leading to victory over sin and death.

 Smear a white cotton ball with red marker, and hang it on the Jesse Tree today, to symbolize the Passover Lamb. 

December 12 – The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20

Moses climbed Mount Sinai to meet the Lord God, and God gave him two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

 Cut out two small tablets from cardboard. Write the Ten Commandments on them, and hang them on the Jesse Tree on this day. 

December 13 – David & Goliath

I Samuel 17

 Young David, a shepherd boy, killed the giant Philistine Goliath with a slingshot and some stones. This bold victory demonstrates the power of God in action, as the Lord often delights in using small, seemingly ordinary people to accomplish His mightiest works.

 Hang a candy cane on the Jesse Tree today to symbolize a shepherd’s staff. 

December 14 – Elijah

1 Kings 18:17-39

The Old Testament prophet Elijah had a major showdown with wicked King Ahab and the false prophets on Mount Carmel. The false prophets summoned their idol, Baal, to light their altar with fire.  Then Elijah soaked his own offering and called upon the true God, who caused it to blaze.

 Cut out a small flame design from colored papers, and hang it on the Jesse Tree today. 

December 15 – Isaiah

Isaiah 6

Isaiah prayed and repented of his human frailties, and the Lord sent a seraph to purify his mouth with tongs of burning coals. The Lord God was preparing Isaiah to deliver His important prophetic messages, including the announcement that the Messiah was coming (See Isaiah 9:6).

 Hang a set of tweezers on the Jesse Tree on this day to represent the angel’s burning tongs. 

December 16 – Solomon

1 Kings 3

The Lord offered to grant King Solomon anything he wanted, and Solomon asked for great wisdom. (Clearly, the Lord knew what Solomon would request, and Solomon chose wisely.)

 This Bible passage recounts a very famous decision of discernment the wise King Solomon exercised.

 Hang a little crown on the Jesse Tree today. Cut it from shiny paper, or glue a small sheet of foil to cardstock before cutting. 

December 17 – Jeremiah

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, called the people of God to purified hearts and a renewal of faith. In this Scripture passage, Jeremiah describes the New Covenant of God, to will be fulfilled by the coming Messiah.

 Hang a small heart locket or charm on the Jesse Tree on this day, or cut a heart from stiff papers. 

December 18 – Jonah

Jonah 2

God called the prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh with a message of repentance. Jonah refused to go and tried to run away from God. The Lord made a large fish swallow him. Finally, from inside the fish, Jonah prayed. God made the fish spit Jonah up onto the shore, and Jonah obeyed the Lord’s calling.

 Hang a small toy fish, a goldfish cracker or a paper fish on the Jesse Tree today to recall the lesson of Jonah. 

December 19 – Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2:1-3

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk stood on the watchtower, obeying the Lord’s instructions, and the Lord gave him a message of hope and redemption for His people. This message would be fulfilled by the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.

 Hang a wristwatch or a little clock on the Jesse Tree on this day, as a reminder of Habakkuk on the watchtower and the need to wait on God for His timing and His answers. 

December 20 – Nehemiah

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah, cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes, broke with protocol by asking the king for permission to return to his homeland to rebuild the decrepit Jerusalem wall. Miraculously, the king agreed.

 Construct a small brick wall from cardboard, and hang it on the Jesse Tree today. 

December 21 – John the Baptist

Luke 3:1-20

John the Baptist declared that he was sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, the Savior of the World. When Jesus arrived, his cousin John baptized Him in the Jordan River of Israel.

 Hang a seashell on the Jesse Tree to symbolize the water of the Jordan, in which Jesus was baptized at the beginning of His earthly ministry. (Of course, the Jordan River does not contain seashells, but the shell is symbolic anyway.) 

December 22 – Mary and the Angel Gabriel

Luke 1:26-38

God sent the angel Gabriel to visit the Virgin Mary to inform her that she would be mother to the infant Christ Jesus. Mary humbly agreed to do the Lord’s bidding.

 Hang a white lily, or another white flower, on the Jesse Tree today as a reminder of the Virgin Mary. (Some families make white tissue paper flowers for this day.) 

December 23 – Joseph

Matthew 1:19-25

Joseph, a carpenter, was engaged to be married to Mary. When Mary became pregnant, Joseph was not sure what to do at first. The Lord sent an angel to speak to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him of his marriage to the young girl and confirming that she was indeed carrying the Son of God.

 Hang a small hammer or a wooden ruler on the Jesse Tree today to represent the carpenter Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. 

December 24 – Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:1-7

Bethlehem, the city of David, was long prophesied to be the expected birthplace of the Messiah. When the time came, Joseph and Mary packed their donkey and traveled to Bethlehem from their home in Nazareth to enroll for Caesar’s tax census. This was part of God’s plan, so that the Messiah Jesus would be born in the appropriate locale.

 Hang a single coin on the Jesse Tree on Christmas Eve to symbolize the tax census that led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. 

December 25 – Jesus

Luke 2:8-20

Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in a dirty stable, filled with livestock. Still, a bright star shone overhead, and multitudes of angels drew shepherds and magi to the site to worship Him.

 The three magi brought frankincense, gold and myrrh to the Christ child. Although these may have seemed like eccentric baby gifts, they were actually prophetic in biblical times. Frankincense was used in worshiping God. Gold was for kings. And myrrh was traditionally used to prepare bodies for burial. Jesus, the Son of God and King of the Jews, was born to die for our redemption.

 Hang three tiny gifts on the Jesse Tree on Christmas Day to indicate the birth of Christ and the gifts of the magi.

 Merry Christmas. The Lord is come.

 

The Jesse Tree Tradition

 The Jesse Tree is a long-held tradition for many Christian families. Why not try this deeply significant Advent calendar, which traces biblical history (and the redemptive plan of God), from Creation through the birth of Christ, the Savior?

Image/s:Public domain photo

 

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Shot in the street - Can't we all stop and mourn?

Another kid was shot dead this week in one of our cities. By law enforcement. He was 20. How heartbreaking it is to hear of a young life cut short.

I’m not bashing cops. And this particular story is evolving. But however it plays out, it’s calamitous.


The police have officially called it an accidental weapon discharge. It began with a routine traffic stop over an expired registration. There may have been an outstanding warrant as well. The situation devolved. The police officer supposedly intended to zap the unarmed driver with a Taser, but used a gun instead. The kid’s mom was on the phone (from home) at the time and heard commotion before the call dropped. He died from a bullet wound in the chest. The whole thing was recorded on the officer’s body camera.


The question remains about whether this particular police officer made a grave mistake or acted intentionally. Maybe the truth will come out with incontrovertible proof. Maybe not.

Even if that happens, the loss of the young life still looms. And oh, so many more.

 

The grieving mom’s life will never be the same, echoing so many others.

How could it ever be?  Losing a child has to be the most unbearable sort of pain life can bring.

And this mother’s sudden unspeakable loss was ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner.  How many times will this grieving mom replay that dropped phone call in her own head?

“He lit up the room in our classroom workshops,” Project Success posted on Facebook. “We are heartbroken and thinking of his family, friends, and community.” The youth organization works with local schools to provide curriculum, workshops, arts experiences, mentoring, and more.

The devastating incident has made headlines around the world, primarily for its tragedy, but also for its timing. This happened in the same city where another white police officer is currently standing trial for the death of another man of color under his uniformed knee. Four local counties declared a state of emergency, and the state Governor declared a curfew, as protestors filled the streets.

And the spiral continues, bringing more unrest and violence and loss and grief.

  

Can we all stop and mourn awhile?

Tragedies like these bring to mind the oft-quoted prayer of Robert Pierce (1914-1978), the American Baptist pastor and missionary, who founded World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse. Pierce prayed thusly:

“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”

Surely God weeps when sons and daughters lose their lives. The Creator cries when violence storms our streets. He mourns when the unarmed are gunned down, the meek are murdered, and hatred prevails.

When will we stop spilling blood in our streets? When will we learn to love those don’t look like us? Or those who don’t vote like us? Or those who don’t (Dare I say it?) talk or pray or sing or do church like us?

This isn’t to throw fuel on the fire, but to call us to compassion.

 

How long will racial rages remain?

Someday, God will bring His Kingdom to pass. And all His people will belong there … together. There’s so much about that promise that is unimaginably miraculous, but perhaps one of the most unfathomable concepts is that He will bring unity and harmony to our diversity.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9, ESV)

 

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. Bring it!

How about us?  This kid’s disturbing death needs to drive us to prayer, if nothing else does.

Oh, Lord. May we long for the day when people will “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4, NIV).

Let’s ask God to break our hearts with what breaks His, just as Pierce prayed. Today, my heart breaks (and many other hearts break) for the family of this young man, unnecessarily slain.

May the Lord build in each of us a longing for the day He brings beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning (see Isaiah 61:3), and an end to racial divides.

In the meantime, can we care more? Can we learn more? Can we do more? Can we stop writing off others’ pleas to matter, justifying our own callousness and inaction by claiming we all do?

Isn’t it time for us to practice the unity of God’s coming Kingdom? In what tangible ways can we better participate in Christ-like love for one another?

 

Here’s an aside, if we’re serious about compassion.

That cop’s life is also forever changed, whether she acted inattentively or intentionally.

Mother of two adult sons, she’s been a police officer for more than a quarter of a century. At the time of this agonizing event, she was training a new officer on the job. Respected by her peers, she’s served as police union president. She has resigned from the police force and has been charged with second-degree manslaughter for this awful incident. Whatever happens legally or professionally, and whether the shooting was accidental or not, we have to suppose her heart will always carry the burden of this horrible event that occurred at her own hands.

Oh, Lord. Bring healing to us all.


 

Image/s: Public domain photo

 

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