READ Isaiah 11
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)
REFLECT
This is hope: that even when the forest has been decimated, every last living plant hacked to the ground, no birdsong in the trees—even then, when all seems lost, a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse.
In today’s passage, we read about Israel, having endured slavery in Egypt and wilderness in the dessert, now in exile. The people of God are weary and battered, discouraged by their own sin and the wickedness of the world. They look around: No one lives honourably. Evil reigns. Orphans and widows are neglected. People are puffed up, and institutions corrupt. And God, in his righteous judgment, intends to put a stop to it by bringing it all to the ground.
He “will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the tallest trees will be cut down” (Isaiah 10:33). All that will be left is a barren landscape, the bald remains of a clear-cut forest. But— “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).
Imagine wandering through that post-apocalyptic landscape, seeing nothing but grey for miles, and suddenly coming across that shoot! The first green. The first bit of supple growth, signalling water beneath and, someday, a tree.
Who is this shoot, whom the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon? Jesus. Jesus, descendant of Jesse. Jesus, descendent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus, the one promised centuries before his arrival. Jesus is the one we hope for this Advent.
TALK
PRAY
God, I am amazed at your patience and your plan for redeeming all things. Thank you for giving us hope in Jesus, like new growth after a devastating bushfire. Please give me strength to keep hoping, faith to keep trusting and help me pay attention to you this Advent. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Make a Jesse tree for your home (see instructions above). Add some leaves and the first picture to it.
Bless someone by giving them some flowers or a plant.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
Join us for Easter 2025 as we reflect on God’s ongoing story of renewal for the whole of creation, and how our story weaves and intertwines with God’s story. Over seven
weeks, we will journey with people from past generations and hear stories of how God renewed their lives through transforming encounters, forgiveness, reconciliation,
and faithfulness. As we hear and reflect on the stories of others, we will also reflect on how God is renewing our lives, and our Church, and what God is calling us to do in the
renewal process.
The 2 attached documents contain resources, including recipes, videos, prayers, and stories, to help your family explore scripture, themes, and special days of Easter at home.
Join us for Lent 2025 as we reflect on God’s ongoing story of renewal for the whole of creation, and how our story weaves and intertwines with God’s story. Over seven
weeks, we will journey with people from past generations and hear stories of how God renewed their lives through transforming encounters, forgiveness, reconciliation,
and faithfulness. As we hear and reflect on the stories of others, we will also reflect on how God is renewing our lives, and our Church, and what God is calling us to do in the
renewal process.
The 2 attached documents contain resources, including recipes, videos, prayers, and stories, to help your family explore scripture, themes, and special days of Lent at home.
Join us for Lent 2025 as we reflect on God’s ongoing story of renewal for the whole of creation, and how our story weaves and intertwines with God’s story. Over seven
weeks, we will journey with people from past generations and hear stories of how God renewed their lives through transforming encounters, forgiveness, reconciliation,
and faithfulness. As we hear and reflect on the stories of others, we will also reflect on how God is renewing our lives, and our Church, and what God is calling us to do in the
renewal process.
The 2 attached documents contain resources, including recipes, videos, prayers, and stories, to help your family explore scripture, themes, and special days of Lent at home.