Christmas

It is an enormous struggle to always be heavenly-minded- one I often fail to win.  More than making that effort alone, too, it is our job to show our kids the landscape from a spiritual vantage point.  In fact, I think it is probably for lack of taking the time for reflection, that many people limit all there is to the material world, thereby negating any possibility of God.  Our world is growing more and more clouded by technology and entertainment-- hedonism has overtaken us and we cannot imagine sitting for half an hour (or less) without anything at all to look at, without anything to do, but just our minds to work over what our limited senses acquire which should naturally cause us to wonder at the questions of origin, purpose, perspective and place.  I hope to infuse in my children a passionate desire to ponder, to equip them with the ability to question, reason and to draw biblical conclusions.  We give them the framework, the knowledge, but only God can give them the wisdom- and open their eyes to the glorious light of His gospel.  It reminds me of a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Those who do not know how it feels to struggle anxiously with the deepest questions of life, of their life, and to patiently look forward with anticipation until the truth is revealed, cannot even dream of the splendor of the moment in which clarity is illuminated for them."

One of the ways that we try to direct their thinking, is by resolving to do all we can to point to Christ in each season, especially Christmas.  We have done many advent activities in the past, and this will be our fourth year doing the Jesse Tree.  However, I've not found anything that fits our desires for our advent just so, so far.  We've done various Jesse Tree devotionals, etc.  But still, there are some things we just don't prefer about it.  With that in mind, we have customized the Jesse Tree, writing our own simple daily thoughts, combining three of the days together, and eliminating the Catholic overtones (original owners of the Jesse Tree).  I am continuing to hone our material so that it is something that can last for a long time.  Below, is Day One (December 1st).  We made ornaments a couple of years ago and just stick them on our regular Christmas tree each day.  If you don't have any Christmas traditions and would like to borrow our Jesse Tree Family Worship, feel free!  If you have something really cool to share, too, I'd love that!  

December 1st

Ornament: root with a branch

Reading: Isaiah 11:1-2

• Who is the "shoot from the stump of Jesse"?
  • King David
• Who is the "branch"?
  • Jesus
• What is the fruit of the branch?
  • Believers
• What are the characteristics of this branch?
  • Wisdom
  • Understanding
  • Counsel
  • Might
  • Knowledge
  • The fear of The Lord
• Dwell on these characteristics for a moment.  What characteristic stands out to you and causes you to wonder at the person of Christ?  Explain in your own words what that characteristic looks like.

• The prophecy of Isaiah occurred a long time before Jesus came.  There was great world turmoil, just like today.  The people would have heard this prophecy and it would have caused their hearts to yearn for the coming of this God-person who would be marked by such excellence- the One who would change the course of human history and affect their lives in revolutionary ways.  The advent is also a season of waiting.  Though we have a perspective that is distinct from ancient Israel, because Christ has come, we still wait for His ultimate triumph over this world.  Romans 8:23 says that we groan, as we wait for the redemption of our flesh.  Titus 2:13 reminds us that we wait eagerly for our hope- the glorious return of our great God and Savior.  Are you waiting in eager anticipation or has your hope cooled and dissolved because you have forgotten that you are an eternal being in a temporal body?  Pray that as you begin this advent season, your waiting will gain intensity and your passions for the return of Christ will be renewed. And remember this Christmas the "God is in the manger, wealth in poverty, light in darkness, succor in abandonment" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).