Advent reflections

Posted on December 28, 2007
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I really enjoyed putting together the daily advent Jesse tree devotion this year. I got a lot out of it, and I think my family did too. We had a special time together each evening after dinner, where we listened to the devotion and prayed together, waited on God etc. There were some days when I wondered why I decided to do them, as I sat in front of the computer for an hour or so trying to find something meaningful to write! I had the verses and symbols for each day, but the rest I put together … with the help of my bible commentary!

On a personal level it was great to see how Jesus’ genealogy and prophecies all fitted together. I also appreciated for the first time how many bible stories are interconnected with other ones throughout the bible. I think the most powerful message that came through for me was that throughout God was saying to his people “trust me” “I’m your protector and provider” “Lean on me” “Let me guide you”.

I’ve been considering carrying on with some form of devotion or meditation - maybe once a week initially - on my blog. I’d love to know what you thought about the Jesse tree devotions. Did they help you at all this Advent? Did you enjoy reading them and meet God within them? Would you like me to continue to put a devotion or meditation on my blog?

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Chi-Rho - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Eight

Posted on December 25, 2007
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“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” John 1:14 (The Message)

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful cyber friends!

We have reached the end of our Jesse tree devotions. Our final symbol is of  the Chi-Rho monogram, which is a combination of the first two letters for the Greek word of Christos, Christ. In the symbol above you will see the alpha and omega signs at the sides.
Today I would just like to leave you to reflect on what is one of my favourite passages in the bible John 1:1-18, taken from The Message.

“The Word was first,  the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.

There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. The Life-Light was the real thing:  Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word.”

We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift. We got the basics from Moses, and then this exuberant giving and receiving, This endless knowing and understanding— all this came through Jesus, the Messiah. No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.”

To read more from other advent bloggers please click here.

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Manger - Jesse Tree devotion Day Twenty Seven

Posted on December 24, 2007
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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Our symbol today is of a manger, which Jesus is laid into following his birth. We read about the three wise men visiting Jesus yesterday. Angel Gabriel appeared to some shepherds in a nearby field, they also witnessed the birth of Jesus and paid homage to him. Shepherds were isolated individuals. They spent most of their lives in fields watching their sheep. They were often looked down upon by society. Again, we see the event of Jesus’ birth being witnessed by “unlikely” individuals. Jesus was born in the humblest of places, there was no royal announcement of his birth. However, there is the heavenly host present, and what an event that must have been. This was no ordinary birth.

When sin first came into the world, God made a promise. Even when the people forgot about God and the promise, God didn’t forget about the people. He guided them, protected them, and loved them, even when they were sinful. God was faithful, and today the promise is fulfilled.

This Christmastime, in amongst all of the busyness and celebration, reflect on Jesus, his birth and what he has done for mankind. Worship him and give him praise. Jesus’ birth sparks joy, surprise and wonder. God bless you and your family this Christmas.

Read the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1-15.

To read more from other advent bloggers please click here.

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White Candle - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Six

Posted on December 23, 2007
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‘”Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”‘ Matthew 2:2 (NIV)

Today’s symbol is of a white candle, which symbolizes Jesus, the light of the world, his divinity and power. In today’s passage three magi look for Jesus, guided by the light of a star, shining brightly above his birthplace. The magi are astrologers, probably from Persia. They spend their time looking at stars, which is why they noticed the star to begin with. In this period astrologers were well respected. They were pagans, yet God chose to reveal the most precious gift of all to them. The magi went to Herod, expecting to find the baby there. Herod called in religious leaders (Matthew 2:4-6) and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They told Herod what was written in Micah 5:2. Interestingly though, none of the religious leaders went to Bethlehem with the magi. Why did they fail to act upon their bible knowledge? Matthew reminds us that it is pagans who first worship Jesus. When they did find Jesus in Bethlehem, they prostrate themselves before the manger and do not turn the child and his parents over to King Herod. Instead they leave, and go home via a different route.

Herod, as ruler, was not willing to give up his leadership for a new baby King. Likewise, many in society are reluctant to acknowledge Jesus’ right to guide and direct their lives. Jesus is for all who will receive him. God may provide us, as believers, with allies in unexpected places if we have the wisdom to recognize them. He uses many open vessels. Today, think about whether God has used a non-Christian before to speak to you in your life.

Read the journey of the magi in Matthew 2:1-12.

Read more from other advent bloggers by clicking here.

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Carpenters Hammer - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Five

Posted on December 22, 2007
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“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:” Matthew 1: 20-22 (NIV)

Today’s symbol is of a carpenters hammer, to represent Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. Initially when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he decided that he would divorce her quietly. At the time, it was the custom that women got stoned for being unfaithful to their husband/betrothed husband. We get the impression that Joseph did not want this to happen to Mary. Joseph would have felt betrayed by Mary, shamed and inadequate. If he did not divorce her, then others would have presumed that he got Mary pregnant, and this would have tarnished his reputation as well. Roman and Jewish law at the time stated that a spouse must divorce his wife if she is unfaithful, or he could be accused of exploiting his wife as a prostitute.

Joseph trusted and obeyed God. As soon as he realized that the baby was from God, he put his own honor and reputation aside, in order to honor God first and foremost. Joseph and Mary began their marriage, and probably remained, as object of shame, to others in a society that valued honor. They chose to embrace that shame, so that they could carry out God’s will and call on their lives.

Joseph’s obedience to God cost him the right to value his own reputation. Today, think about whether you put your own reputation and honor before honoring God.
Read more in Matthew 1:19-25.

Read more from other advent bloggers by clicking here.

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