Jesse Tree - Day 16 - Jonah

This year we have the shortest possible time between the first Advent Sunday and Christmas. That means we won't be seeing a lot of the Jesse Tree entries. And I discovered that I should've switched to the O Antiphons on the 17th. Ah well, I told you this was going to be idiosyncratic!

We'll end this year with Jonah, who is a good example of what NOT to do (run away when God gives you a task) and what to do (pray when you're in the belly of a huge fish).

======

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 16: Jonah

Symbols: whale

Jonah and the Whale

Jonah 1:11-15

As a friend of mine once said, "Jonah is the comedy book in the Bible." It's 4 chapters long, it's an action story, and it's very funny. What's not to like?

The Church Fathers often compare Jonah's three days in the fish to Christ's three days in the tomb. I myself love the fact that Jonah is so busy running from God. Been there. Done that. Luckily without any huge fish being involved.

And I love the fact that God is so funny when he is poking Jonah at the end of the book. He cares enough to save the Ninevites who were the most hated people of their time. And he cares about each one individually, such as Jonah.

God Talks to Jonah

Jesse Tree - Day 15: Elijah

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 15: Elijah

Symbols: stone altar

Elijah and the priests of Baal

1 Kings 17:1-16, 18:1-46

We all have a few vague pictures of Elijah. For one thing, he shows up during Christ's transfiguration so we should pay a bit of attention when he comes up in the Jesse Tree. Usually it is because he stands up for God before the priests of Ba'al and wins hands-down (for God is on his side). It is a spectacular showdown and if you aren't familiar with it, I encourage you to read about it.

Some may think of the ravens feeding him in the wilderness. I myself always remember the pagan woman whose grain and oil never ran out, even though there was a famine, because Elijah was boarding with her. And whose son he raised from the dead.

The Elijah story that speaks to my heart most, though, is one that I suspect we all relate to. Elijah is on the run from the Israelite leaders who want to kill him. He is weary and heart-sick and wants to give up. And God comes to speak to him.

And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

We've all looked for a big sign and wound up with a still, small voice, haven't we? And I think we've all had times when we've been "done" and wanted to curl up in a cave. Elijah performed God's miracles but in the details of his life he is more like us than we might think.

Elijah raises the widow's son, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1851-60

Jesse Tree - Day 14: David

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 14: David

Symbols: shepherd's crook, harp, slingshot, 6-pointed star

Michelangelo, David and Goliath, 1509

1 Sam. 17:12-51

David began as a shepherd, the youngest of the family, and from Bethlehem. When I read his story in the Bible his humanity becomes so clear. He is so often the best of what we hope from humanity. And he also is often the worst. His most famous descendant, Jesus, was also from Bethlehem and is our shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.”(John 10:14, 15)

David is anointed king by Samuel, Anonymous

Jesse Tree - Day 13: Samuel

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 13: Samuel

Symbols: lamp, temple

The Infant Samuel, Sir Joshua Reynolds 1723-1792

1 Sam. 3:1-18

I must begin this by saying that I love the story of Hannah, Samuel's mother who prayed to God in the temple to give her a child. Read the first two chapters of 1 Samuel for her story and to see what leads up to Samuel's story.

With that example no wonder Samuel began life loving God and being obedient. Again we see the theme which runs throughout salvation history - obedience. Even when it doesn't make sense, this obedience works because God sees the big picture so much better than we do. Samuel must have needed to cling to his trust and faith in God when you think of some of the things he saw people doing, especially once Saul began ruling.

Samuel in the Temple, David Wilkie, 1839

Jesse Tree - Day 12: Ruth

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 12: Ruth

Symbols: grain, basket

Ruth Gleaning, illustrated manuscript 1405-1415, British Library

Ruth

Who doesn't know and love this story of the loving, faithful daughter-in-law who became an ancestress not only to King David, but to Jesus Christ? It is worth remembering that she was a pagan from a strange country but who God used in his mysterious ways for all of our good.

Boaz and Ruth, Rembrandt

Jesse Tree - Day 11: Gideon

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 11: Gideon

Symbols: clay water pitcher, torch,

Gideon Chooses His 300, James Tissot

Judges 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28

Gideon's story begins with a familiar pattern. After being saved and brought into the Promised Land, time passed, and the people fell back into their old, sinful ways. Sometimes, God lets you reap what you sow so that you can see the error of your ways. In this case, he withdraws his protection and ... whoosh! ... in come the Midianites for some of that land of milk and honey.

God, of course, is merciful and hearing his people's pleas, he raises up a hero in the way that so often happens, by picking most unlikely guy around - Gideon. A poor farmer who, like Moses, at first protests that he isn't worthy or capable, Gideon leads a picked force of 300 to defeat 100,000 Midianites. Sneaking up with torches hidden under water pitchers, they surprised the people so much that many of them began fighting among themselves. The victory was a total rout.

What better way to be reminded that when there is victory, it is through God? We can't depend on ourselves alone.

I love Gideon best for the story of how many times he asked God for reassurance using a sheep's fleece and dewfall. I can totally relate to that brand of skepticism. God's patience with Gideon is something I've experienced myself. On a much lesser level, of course.

Gideon thanks God for the Miracle of the Dew,
Maarten van Heemskerck, 1550

Jesse Tree - Day 10: Joshua

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 10: Joshua

Symbols: ram's horn trumpet

The Battle of Jericho on Ghiberti doors, Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

Joshua 1:1-11; 6:1-20

Joshua had the daunting task of following Moses as the Hebrew people's leader. Yet, every time I read about Moses's life, Joshua begins to come to my attention, carefully pointed out by the author. He is stalwart, he loves God, and he is obedient. So he's the perfect leader to take this band of people who wandered in the desert for 40 years precisely because of their disobedience. And he leads them in a leap of faith that is such a crazy stunt only God would have thought it up. "C'mon everyone, let's march around the city crying aloud to God and then, we'll blow our trumpets. And the city will be ours."

As is often the case with God's "crazy stunts" this one worked because of His power and their trust and obedience. We look forward to the purpose of this tiny baby Jesus whose coming we await, and we see the one who is fully trusting, fully obedient, and fully loving ... both of us and of God the Father.

I've also always loved the story of Joshua leading the people into the Promised Land and the River Jordan parting for them. Hey, there's more to Joshua than trumpets.

The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan by Benjamin West, 1800

Jesse Tree - Day 9: Moses

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 9: Moses

Symbols: baby in basket, river and rushes

The Birth of Moses, circa 2nd century
Gabrielle Sed Rajna L'Art Juif- Citadelles Mazenod
Source

Exodus 2:1-10

I know that Moses is a "type" for Jesus, meaning that we can see examples in his life of the larger message Jesus will bring for us. It never occurred to me until considering this scripture in relationship to Christmas that Moses escapes wholesale slaughter of baby boys - just like Jesus does. It all begins right here.

Of course, there are many more things to consider from Moses's life. He was curious, brave, and intelligent enough to investigate the burning bush and obey the Living God. He went against his natural instincts to obey God's will and engaged in a battle of wills with Pharaoh, led his people into the desert, performed miracles at God's behest, and brought them the Torah, the Law which instructs them and us to this day.

He, Qi. Finding of Moses, 2001
via Vanderbilt Divinity Library

Jesse Tree: Day 8 - Joseph

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

Day 8: Joseph

Symbols: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic

Joseph sold by his brothers. Anna Bilińska-Bohdanowicz (1857–1893)
via Wikipedia

Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15

We know a lot about Joseph's story. It is one of the most beloved of the Old Testament. We're invited to think about how much Joseph endured, beginning with his brothers selling him into slavery. Then, when he has the chance to claim revenge, instead he extends love and forgiveness. Not only that, but Joseph interprets how God has brought good out of evil. "And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God set me before you to preserve life."

Joseph Weeps
Illustration by Owen Jones, 1869, via Wikipedia

Jesse Tree - Day 7: Jacob

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 7: Jacob

Symbols: kettle, ladder

Jacob's Dream, Jusepe de Ribera
via Artbl

Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15

Look closely at the painting and right above Jacob's head you can see the wispy dream of the angelic ladder taking place. What I didn't remember until I reread this was that God actually speaks to Jacob in his dream. The ladder has been considered a symbol of reuniting earth to the divine, of the Christian life, and, of course, of Christ who is the true bridge between heaven and earth. I myself like to think about how God communicates in dreams in the Bible. It's a reminder that there is more to life than just the material world, that we often encounter God in ways others don't understand, and that he knows how to reach us when we don't expect it.

Below is a painting of one of my favorite scenes from Jacob's long and complex story. It's a bit that people often forget. When Jacob returns home with his wives and property, he's nervous to meet Esau again after having tricked him out of his birthright so long ago. Unexpectedly Esau comes forward happily to meet his brother. Esau doesn't get enough credit for this, I always think. And he is a type, perhaps, of the loving father in the Prodigal Son parable and, therefore, an example of God's loving kindness and mercy to us no matter how deliberately we've sinned.

Peter Paul Rubens, The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, 1624.
via Wikimedia Commons

Jesse Tree - Day 6: Isaac

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 6: Isaac

Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush

Abraham's sacrifice - a fresco from the Old church of Raduil. Bulgaria,
by Edal Anton Lefterov (Own work);[CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL  via Wikimedia Commons

Gen. 22:1-14

How Abraham must have trusted and loved God above all to follow his instructions for sacrificing Isaac. In this way he is the opposite of Adam and Eve who did the "reasonable" thing instead of trusting in God's love. Perhaps he remembered that God loved Isaac even more than he, Abraham, did. Perhaps it was a continual struggle with himself to obey God's will. Or both. Did Abraham think of that star-filled night, of the promise of more descendants than he could count? And what do I do when faced with an "unreasonable" request? We saw what Christ did. He obeyed and trusted and loved God to the very end ... and to a resurrection. And that made all the difference for us.

Abraham embraces his son Isaac after receiving him back from God, 1900 Bible illustration
Via Wikimedia Commons

Jesse Tree - Day 5: Abraham

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 5: Abraham

Symbols: stars, torch, sword, mountain

Abraham Goes to the Land of Canaan, 1866, Gustave Doré [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Gen. 12:1-3

God promised Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars at night. If, like me, you live in a city, then that promise loses a lot of its force. Think of the thick blanket of stars you see when you are in the countryside, mountains, or any other place where there isn't a lot of light. It is truly awe inspiring. And God kept that promise. Abraham couldn't have imagined how far and wide and numerous his descendants would be now, thousands of years after his lifetime. Abraham is our father in faith too, so we are some of those descendants thanks to our adoption through Jesus Christ into the family of God.

Abraham and the Angels, By orthodox painter [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons

Jesse Tree - Day 4: Noah

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 4: Noah

Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow

Building of the ark, Illumination on parchment,
41 x 28 cm, British Library, London, ca 1423.
Via Wikipedia

Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22

I love the story of Noah. It is relatively short but has such a wealth of material for reflection. It's a bit of a shock to realize how quickly mankind became so wicked that the best solution was to eliminate almost everything. Except, of course, Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark. It's sobering to think how intimately we are connected with creation that our wickedness affected nature too.

I know many people didn't like it, but for me one of the best aids to reflecting on this story is the 2014 movie Noah. (You can hear my conversation with Scott Danielson about it at A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.) It vividly expresses the wickedness of those ancient times, the flood, and the love that is felt at the end when God's rainbow fills the sky as a merciful promise never to destroy the earth like that again.

Noah's Thanks Offering, Jacopo Amigoni
via Wikimedia Commons

Jesse Tree - Day 3: Fall of Man

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 3: Fall of Man

Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite

The story of the Eden Garden. The temptation of Adam and Eve by the devil.
Pedestal of the statue of Madonna with Child, western portal (of the Virgin), 
of Notre-Dame de Paris, France.  Via Wikipedia

Gen.3:1-7 and 23-24

Original sin. Whatever separates us from God is sin and it begins here when Adam and Eve consider whether they should trust and obey God or take matters into their own hands. We all know what happens next. It's the reason we have Christmas, so the "new Adam" can come and restore us to that original, beautiful relationship.

Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise, Paul Gustave Doré
Scan from a Dutch Bible. Via Wikipedia

Jesse Tree - Day 2: Adam and Eve

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Day 2: Adam and Eve

Symbols: tree, man, woman

The Creation of Eve, Sistine Chapel, fresco Michelangelo, 
a "spandrel" in the Ancestors of Christ series.

Via Wikipedia

Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24

"Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..."

Yes. Anyone who has ever fallen in love knows that feeling. After such loneliness in not having even one other person like himself, how great must have been Adam's joy.

I know the statue below is entitled Paradise Lost, but I like the touching tenderness of Adam and Eve as a couple.

Thierry Caro, Le Paradis perdu (Paradise lost), 
une sculpture de Jean Gautherin conservée par la Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, à Copenhague, 2007.

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Via Wikipedia

Jesse Tree - Day 1: Creation

I last published these Jesse Tree posts in 2019. I want to revisit them this Advent so you're coming along for the ride!

The Jesse Tree helps us prepare for Christ's coming by studying His roots and Salvation History. 

Jesse Trees follow the same general outline but I've found they are widely varied in some of the details. Some may have one day for Moses, others may spend 4 days on different aspects of his life. I'll be following the basic outline but, therefore, using my own discretion in a few spots.

My original sources for days and symbols were Catholic Culture, Loyola Press, Faith Magazine, and A few beads short.  

Let's begin with what a Jesse Tree is.

The representation of the Tree of Jesse is based upon the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-2:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the sprit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.

[...]

The Advent Jesse Tree is fairly recent practice, trying to emphasize "Christ" in Christmas by studying His roots. A home Jesse Tree can be a small evergreen tree, artificial or real, bare branch set in a sturdy pot, or a wallhanging made of felt, posterboard or wood. Each evening in Advent a new symbol is placed on the tree, the Scripture verse is read and the significance in Salvation History is explained.

Catholic Culture

Jesse was David's father, from whose line Jesus came (just to get all the connections straight). You can read the full story of Jesse in Isaiah 11:1-10 and David in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

So if we begin at the very beginning, both in terms of Christ's roots and Salvation History, obviously we're talking about ...

Day 1: Creation

Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth

"The Blue Marble" photograph of Earth,
taken from Apollo 17, via Wikipedia

Gen.1 - Gen.2:1-4

I read the story of Creation and love God looking over all he made and saying, "It is good." I also love the vivid descriptions of what is created: "... great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind." And, of course, Adam is also part of what is "good." He is here to be a part of creation also.

God creating the land animals (Vittskövle Church fresco, 1480s).
Via Wikipedia

Jesse Tree — Day 23: O God With Us

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

Symbols: tablets of stone, chalice and host

Mosaic from the apse of Saint Sophia, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC.
taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Isaiah 7:10-14; 33:22
Romans 8:20-24
John 1:1-18

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Jesse Tree — Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 22: O King of the Gentiles

Symbols: crown, scepter

Detail from the beautifully carved great reredos, carved by Lee Lawrie, in the Episcopal Church of St Thomas on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Genesis 2:7
Ezekiel 37:21-28
Isaiah 26:8-9, 40:31
Jeremiah 10:7
Haggai 2:7

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

Jesse Tree — Day 21: O Dayspring, Radiant Dawn

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

Day 20: O Dayspring, Radiant Dawn

Symbols: sun rising or high in sky

This is the mosaic dome in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC.
Taken by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P., some rights reserved

Jer. 23:5
Zechariah 3:8; 6:12
Malachi 3:2
Luke 1:78-79
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 8:12

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Jesse Tree — Day 20: O Key of David

The O Antiphons are Magnificat antiphons sung or recited at Vespers from December 17-23. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture.

   

Day 19: O Root of Jesse

Symbols: key, broken chains

Medieval Limoges enamel of the Harrowing of Hell, by which the Risen Lord Jesus frees Adam and Eve and the patriarchs from the jaws of death. This piece is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Taken by Fr. Lawrence Lew O.P., some rights reserved

Isaiah 22:20-24
Revelation 1:18; chapter 3; 20:4-6, 13

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.