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Transcription

1 Tree of Jesse

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3 An orthodox tree of jesse How do we prepare our hearts to receive grace? How can we prepare to enter fully into the feast of our Lord s birth? We re given forty days. Forty days to enter deeply, to prepare a proper dwelling place for Him. And we mark those days remembering the forefathers of Christ, a lineage grown from a lowly root named Jesse. Forty days of climbing, ascending Jesse s tree - a stump blossomed dwelling place, the womb of a Virgin. To climb the Tree of Jesse. It s more than mapping genealogy, storytelling through a family tree. To ascend is to ponder the words of the prophets, to listen carefully to the ways God spoke hope through the ages. We climb this tree to reach the heights of expectation, to gaze upon the centuries of good news foretold - how a Virgin would bear a Son, God made flesh, and dwell among us. And so, we set our hearts upon an icon, the image of a tree. A humble tree with a man reclined, sleeping at its roots. And nestled in flowering limbs among twelve branches announcing grace, we gaze upon the tree s fullness - a Rod bearing the long-awaited Flower. This tree is a story told in brushstrokes, an image of hope fulfilled. Hope grown from a lowly root, watered through the words and lives of the prophets. It s the story of how Hope blossomed in the humble cave of Bethlehem. And we can prepare to meet Him there, our hearts warmed, branch by prophetic branch. Climbing to behold Christ, through scripture, icon and hymn, making our mystical ascent toward the feast of the Nativity. The Creator shaped man with His own hands, but when He saw us perishing eternally, He bowed the heavens and came down to earth, and clothed Himself completely in our nature, truly incarnate from a pure and holy Virgin, for He has been glorified!

4 suggestions for the climb All you ll need to climb the Tree of Jesse are these pages and a Bible - perhaps a children s story bible too. How you use them with your family is your decision. You can start by printing the icon included. Display it in your family s icon corner, simply refer to it as you read through each story, branch by branch. After all, that s what this climb is - an upward journey through an icon, the Tree of Jesse. It s really that simple. But perhaps you re wanting to do a bit more? That s why we ve included a detail of each prophet, each icon sized just perfectly for hanging as an ornament. You can sketch branches on a poster board, glue the ornaments in place as you read. Or maybe cut a tree out of felt or fabric? You can even purchase a wooden dowel tree or a miniature Christmas tree - or better yet, use a branch cut from the stump of your family s Christmas tree - any creative way you can dream. It really doesn t matter how you go about it, resting in the simplicity of a single icon or creating an ornately decorated handcraft. However you do it, all you need is to plant your Tree of Jesse somewhere in your home so that its roots grow deep in the heart of your family. Are you ready to begin the climb? Before you begin, you ll need to decide how you ll make your way up the branches. How will you climb? We ve divided our Tree of Jesse into fourteen readings - the number of generations dividing the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter of St. Matthew s gospel. We have forty days to complete our ascent and that s plenty of time to enjoy the climb. In fact, it ends up being just two or three stories each week.

5 There s only one thing left to do. Decide when you ll climb together. Maybe in the evenings, during family prayers? Or over breakfast before the school day begins? You can even read during the day, spend time talking about your climb at the family table. Whether you read each original story and the related scripture in one sitting, or spread each story and its verses over a few days - how and when to climb is up to you. The purpose isn t hidden in the details. The goal is to draw closer to Christ. May we become like Zacchaeus of old, climbing this tree, our hearts set on beholding Him. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes are taken from the Matins service of the feast of Nativity, the Canon of the Nativity of Christ composed by Saints Cosmas of Maiuma and John of Damascus. All scripture quotes are taken from the King James Version, the Septuagint titles and ordering being preserved.