Advent Celebration using a Jesse Tree

Seasonal teaching
Dec 012010

In our celebration of Advent, one way to pass on our faith to our children is to make a Jesse Tree. The ornaments represent events in the Bible, all leading up to the birth of the Messiah. This is an instructional tool that is not just for children but also could be used in women’s Bible studies. My first exposure to the Jesse Tree was at the Fort Leonard Wood PWOC in 1993. I still have those handmade ornaments and the “script” we used to tell His Story.

The Jesse Tree is so named because of Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots.”  It is used to tell God’s story in the Old Testament and to connect Advent with the faithfulness of God across history. God is a covenantal God and always stays true to the promises He makes with His people, even when they are disobedient.

The long-awaited Messiah came in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God Himself! Simeon proclaimed, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32 NASB)  The Jesse Tree helps us tell the story of God’s sovereign plan to redeem His people for Himself, a plan He’s held true since the foundation of the world.

During this season of celebrating His first Advent (and preparation of His second Advent), use the Jesse Tree as a reminder of all God has done and will continue to do.

The Jesse Tree can be made of your choice of craft supplies – paper, cloth, on a small Christmas tree, or bulletin board. Have the freedom to be creative with it. As I’ve mentioned before in other posts, doing some reading or internet research will help in your discovery and promote ownership of this expression of faith. Ask the Lord to guide you as you learn more about His Word, His plan across the ages, and His greatest gift of love, His Only Son.

Click here for some sample items to include on your tree (persons, events, themes/scriptures and symbols).

(chart source: crivoice.org)

Posted by Melinda Hemphill at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , ,

Holy Thursday - Maundy Thursday

Seasonal teaching
Apr 012010

In the Jewish tradition, believers were to observe Passover each year. The remembrance was used to pass down the teaching that God had saved His people from the hand of the Egyptian Pharaoh during years of intense slavery. When the rulers would not let the Hebrew slaves free, there were ten plagues that God sent on the land to change their hearts. The final straw was the tenth plague – the plague of the firstborn.  God’s instruction was that each household should put the blood of a lamb on the tops and sides of the doorframes to their homes. This blood was a sign that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes, saving their lives. Judgment of God will happen, but He made a way to be saved. (See Exodus 11 and 12 in the Old Testament.)

The same is true today. There is a phrase that is heard frequently in Christian circles – “put the blood of Jesus on the doorframes of your heart.” Have you heard of it? Have you done it? It’s the idea that the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God has given His blood (His very life) for the atonement (forgiveness) of our sins. What a great thing to celebrate! This is accomplished not by anything we could do on our own but by putting our trust and faith in the work that Jesus did on the cross!

So the people back in the day of Jesus were coming to town to celebrate the Passover feast. Once in Jerusalem, they encountered a couple days full of Jesus’ teachings plus other dramatic events that eventually led to His trial and death. But prior to the death sentence that He received, He spent some time with His friends. His disciples. Those that He had poured His life, love and ministry into over the past three years.

This is the account of Jesus celebrating His last Passover with His friends.

Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 26, verses 26-30) says, “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many of forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Other events of Jesus’ last full day on earth can also be found in Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; and John 13:1-30.

So what makes this Thursday different than others? What does Maundy mean? Are you saying “Monday Thursday?” That doesn’t make sense…..no, it refers to the new mandate Christ gave His followers: Jesus’ words after He washed His disciple’s feet. He instructed them with a new commandment – to love one another as He loved them. A great way to celebrate this day and evening in commemoration of Christ’s last night before the crucifixion is to worship with other Christians and partake in the Lord’s Supper! What a great gift that Christ left to His people!

Posted by Melinda Hemphill at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , ,

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Leadership Wednesday, Seasonal teaching
Jan 062010

We’ve grown up singing this song, but have you ever stopped to think about what it’s about? I encourage you to do a little research on this. There are many theories, but I love the idea of using it as a teaching tool, a catechism if you will. Any opportunity to pass down our faith is a good thing, and numbers and symbols work with children and adults alike.

The tradition of Epiphany (also called “Three Kings Day” or “Twelfth Day”) is celebrated on January 6. This is the twelfth day after Christmas, and in many traditions, it signifies the “manifestation” of God the Son, Jesus Christ. This epiphany of God in the flesh is often recognized when the magi visited Jesus, “He who is born King of the Jews.” These magi (or astrologers, kings or priests) were Gentiles, and it is significant that they would recognize Him as King and bow in worship, bringing costly gifts.

Gold represented the value He deserves, symbolic of His kingship. Frankincense was a perfume, symbolic of His priesthood. Myrrh was used an anointing or embalming oil, prophesying the death He would endure. Each signified the role He would take in coming to Earth to save His people from their sins — prophet, priest and king.

The account in Matthew 2 does not give an exact time span between the birth of Christ, the visit of the shepherds, and the visit of the magi, but it can be assumed it is sometime before His second birthday due to historical records of the reigning Herods. We typically see the “kings” in our Nativity scenes, but to get an accurate portrayal of the early worship of Christ, continue to study this. What we do know is that Jesus was worshipped.

Epiphany as a liturgical event is first mentioned in AD 361, according to some historical records. When we first married, we decided to celebrate the season from the first Sunday of Advent until Epiphany. When our daughter was born on January 6, 1993, we decided to end our Christmas season prior to her birthday celebrations, but remembering the big picture of the Advent of Christ still is the focus. I wish you all a blessed and glorious 2010. Continue to learn more about your faith and your part of the Church in the world. Get to know Him as your prophet, priest and king!

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O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL!

Friday Fruit, Seasonal teaching
Nov 272009

We are approaching a season called Advent. Aim Two of the PWOC Aims states that we are to “TEACH women the history, beliefs and programs of the church, all built on a solid foundation of worship and Bible study.” Over the next four weeks, ideas about Advent will be presented in the PWOCI blog. Staying true to our heritage of ecumenical Protestant beliefs, let us come together as we prepare our hearts and minds and homes for the celebration of Christmas.

Advent is a term that comes from the Latin word, “adventus,” – “arrival” or “coming”. This term is used sometimes in our culture about a new beginning, as in the “dawn of a new day,” but when mentioned in conjunction with the end of our calendar year, it signifies a holy time, the time we prepare our hearts to celebrate the first advent of Jesus – God coming to Earth. This marks the beginning of the Christian church calendar year and is typically celebrated for the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. For Americans, this usually means that Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

The celebration of Advent can be found recorded as early as the Fourth Century, AD, and has been associated with preparations for Baptism, Epiphany, the Birth of Christ, and anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. By doing some internet research, you will be able to find many resources and to incorporate this celebration into your family’s holiday traditions.

One tradition that has been a fun one for us is the use of Advent calendars. Children love the idea of routine and excitement, and a calendar helps them be consistent in counting down the days to Christmas. Our family also reads a book about the ABCs of Advent, each day having a reading associated with the season. For example, A is for Angels; B is for Bethlehem; C is for Candles; and so on. Advent wreaths are used in worship services and can be made for your own home as well. This season of Advent can be the perfect time to focus Christmas all on Jesus.

So as you begin your decorating and festivities, put on some music and sing along with us, “Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee; Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.”

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