8-10. For Unto Us a Child is Born!

LINK: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Unto Us a Child is Born!!!!
(Or Happy January 5th if you chose to wait to start reading.) 

BIBLE STORYTELLING 

Jesus is Born: audio and transcript.

PRAYING FOR THE GRACE

In the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, we seek grace related to the passage for contemplation/meditation. With Jesus' birth, you might like to open your time with God with this:

I seek the grace to “enter into the mind of the One who chose to be born as I was born. I ask to love this little infant so that my life will fall into His life’s pattern" (Choosing Christ in the World, p.53)

This Imaginative Contemplation handout has the specific example of Luke 2:1-7. I have found this so beneficial since 1981!

BACKGROUND

8. An angel appears to Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25

Listen to the wonderful Imaginative Contemplation of this passage from Prayer as You Go.

In Hebrew custom, the marriage contract was negotiated between parents, and the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his parents for a year so the bride could demonstrate her purity. If she got pregnant, she was considered impure, and the marriage contract could be annulled. 

Mary and Joseph were in this waiting period, and Mary became pregnant. What was Joseph to think? He must have been an exceptional man because he wanted to kindly break the contract secretly. If he had done it publicly, Mary might have been subject to stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). 

As we have seen with Mary and Zechariah, angels have a way of making all things clear, and this angel did that for Joseph. The angel declared a Scarlet Thread of Redemption verse from a prophet who proclaimed God's eternal plan 700 years before:

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) which translated means "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

(Let those words wash over you, dear reader. If you have time, join YEAR TWO of the Bible Book Club. In that year, you will read through all the prophets, and they are FULL of prophecies like the one above!  It is so fun to tie the Old Testament and New Testament together in one big Christmas bow!)

Remember, Matthew was writing to Jews. So, they would know about this Old Testament prophecy about Immanuel.  But let's do a little bit more of an Old Testament word study since most of us are Gentiles!

עִמָּנוֵּל (˓immānûēl). With us is God. This proper name occurs twice. It is the name to be given to the child to be born of the virgin (Isa 7:14). Isaiah addresses Judah’s king, of Davidic lineage, as Immanuel (8:8). The prophet also gives the meaning and application of the name by stressing that, in spite of what a disobedient king does, God will be with his covenant people (Isa 8:10). 

The name Immanuel gives expression to the truth God had expressed in various ways to his covenant people in times previous to Isaiah. He had specifically said that he would be God to Abraham and his seed (Gen 17:7). He would go with Jacob (Gen 28:15) and Moses (Ex 3:12). God identified with his people saying he had taken them to be his possession (Ex 19:5–6). The angel of his name would go with and guard his people (Ex 23:20. 24). To Joshua the word came, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Josh 1:5). To David God said, “I have been with you” (II Sam 7:9). 

Solomon earnestly prayed that the Lord would be with him and Israel as he had been with David (I Kgs 8:57). By various visible means, i.e. cloud, pillar of fire, and the ark of the covenant the Lord confirmed his word. He was with his people [emphasis mine]. He led, upheld, and blessed them. 

Isaiah, speaking to Ahaz, assured him that the faithful covenant God was present as he had been and as he would be in the incarnate Son to be born of the virgin. Thus the past, present, and future intimate relationship of God’s presence with his people is summed up in the name Immanuel. (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, p. 677)

I don't know about you, but that makes my heart sing: 

GOD IS WITH US! 

Praise God that Joseph "did as the angel of the Lord commanded" (1:24).

9. Jesus is born in Bethlehem: Luke 2:1-7

(Don't forget to try the Imaginative Contemplation for this passage.)

Caesar Augustus was the ruler of the Roman Empire from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. God used a secular ruler to fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2. In the Roman Empire the census was taken every fourteen years for military and tax purposes. Joseph's ancestral home was Bethlehem. Joseph was a descendant of David (1:27) who was born in Bethlehem. So they needed to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem (which means "house of bread").  Usually, it was just the Jewish male, but he traveled with Mary because she was so near to delivering her baby. Tradition tells us that Jesus was born in a cave near the inn. He was wrapped in strips of cloth which was a practice at that time for keeping limbs straight and protected. 

10. Shepherds visit Jesus: Luke 2:8-20

How wonderful that angels would appear to poor, outcast shepherds.  Their work made them ceremonially unclean.  God calls the poor and lowly to Himself (Luke 1:51-53; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). This baby was also the Good Shepherd (John 10) and Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). 

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Matthias Stom
(fl. 1615–1649) [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

The shepherds were to "fear not" (Where have you heard that before over the last few days? Luke 1:13, 30, 74; Matthew 1:20). The angel pronounced GOOD NEWS of a great JOY (remember the theme of joy in Luke?) of a Savior who is Christ the Lord! 

Then a multitude of angels came praising God and announcing PEACE. Even though the Roman Peace ("Pax Romana") had been in effect since 27 B.C., there was really no peace. The Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, (A.D. 55 - A.D. 135) once said:

While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward peace.  The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 1, p. 176 

The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, which is translated as eirḗnē in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), "has to denote, not merely rest, but a state of well-being or wholeness [emphasis mine], so that one can even be said to die in peace (as distinct from suffering violence). Nor is this well-being restricted to material welfare" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 208). 

Let this all wash over you and soak in deeply. It is so easy to just gloss over this because you hear this so many times during Christmas. Jesus is our Peace! It is amazing!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION/PRAYER

A few days ago, I had you meditate on Scene 3 in the “Christmas” part of Handel's Messiah so that you might grasp Jesus being light contrasted with man’s darkness more deeply. Now, let's listen to the chorus of Scene 3 and Scene 4 as you revel in the wonder of the child being born to us! (It is nine minutes of listening from 33:21-42:19). Follow along with the words. 

Chorus

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)

Recitative (Soprano)

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. (Luke 2:8)

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:9)

Recitative (Soprano)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11)

Recitative (Soprano)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (Luke 2:13)

Chorus

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

GLORY TO GOD AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I'll SEE YOU AGAIN on January 6th (King's Day/Epiphany/12th day of Christmas) when we read about/meditate on the visit of the Magi!

6-7. Mary Visits Elizabeth and John is Born

December 24 or January 4

LINK: Luke 1:39-80

"Jump For Joy -Visitation Mary and Elizabeth" Link to this Artist

BACKGROUND

"The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts.  The greatest forces in the world are babies." Dr. E.T. Sullivan

6. Mary visits Elizabeth: Luke 1:39-56

Shortly after Gabriel visited Mary, she went to spend three months with her pregnant relative Elizabeth.  What joy and female bonding!

Luke frequently used the word "joy" in the two books he wrote (Luke and Acts). He often links this word with salvation. We have seen him use it in describing John the Baptist (1:14), and it is in full view in this section! John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary came carrying Jesus. Elizabeth responded in joy when she said that Mary was carrying the mother of her Lord. The term "Lord" (kyrios) was often used to describe Jesus in the book of Luke because "Christ" ("Messiah") would have not meant as much to his target audience, the Greeks, because they did not know all the prophecy leading up to His coming. 

Lastly, Mary responded in joy at carrying Jesus by singing a hymn of praise and quoting many Old Testament Scriptures (Psalms and Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10).  This song is often called "The Magnificat" because the opening words, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," is Magnificat anima mea Dominum in Latin. Many beautiful pieces of music have been written to this music by composers like Vivaldi and Bach (I sang the Vivaldi version my freshman year in college). 

7. John the Baptist is born: Luke 1:57-80

The Birth of John the Baptist by Jacopo Pontormo
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

More rejoicing occurs as John is given to this once-barren couple. They named him John (meaning "God has been gracious") just as the angel had instructed even though it was tradition to name a baby boy after the father or someone else in the family. With their insistence that his name be John, Zechariah let out Holy Spirit-inspired praise.  Significant words from his hymn of praise indicate what Jesus' coming to earth would mean for us:

1) Redemption (1:68) - The Greek word is lýtrōsis, and it means "release from an obligation" In 1:68 and 2:38, it means "liberation" from the yoke of enemies (Luke 24:21). In Luke 4:18, Jesus will say he has brought "deliverance to the captives." And Hebrews 9:12 brings it more into focus: Jesus would bring deliverance through His death, from the guilt and power of sin.  

2) Salvation (1:69-75) - Jesus is the "horn/strength of salvation." Simeon would later call Him, "Your salvation" (Luke 2:30). This metaphor is from the Old Testament (Psalm 18:2; 75:10; 132:17) where the strength of the animal is seen in their horns. He would deliver them from their enemies (1:74). As foretold, Jesus came from the house of David (1:69) as we learned when we read about Mary and Joseph's lineage, a Jew (Genesis 12:1-3), and was born in David's city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).   

3) Forgiveness (1:76-77) - Forgiveness means "letting them [sins] go as if they had never been committed" (The Enhanced Strong's Lexicon). Jesus' death paid our debt of sin to a most holy God. 

4) Light (1:78-79) - Jesus is the "Sunrise from on high." We have already learned from studying John 1 this week that Jesus is the light for people sitting in darkness and death. He brought light to shine a path in our life that leads to peace and abundance. HALLELUJAH!

REFLECTION

I give the option of starting the reading for this book club in January, but it is really fun to read Events 1-10 in the five days leading up to Christmas! It has been such a blessing to my soul to write these posts during this season. It is what Christmas is all about. It has kept my soul very focused on Jesus being the reason for the season!  I only have five presents wrapped, but I am so WRAPPED up in the joy of Jesus right now, I don't CARE! And that is as it should be! 

You might be reading this in the New Year. You are not behind! How can you keep your soul focused on Jesus in this coming year instead of wrapped up in the worries and stress of everyday life? What is your "I will" for today? 

APPLICATION

Here are some possible suggestions for application:

• Spend some time listening to God. That means shutting out the busyness of your life to really find some solitude and silence. It doesn't need to be a long and formal thing. Simply bow your head, connect to His presence, and listen.
• Worshiping God as You pray through Mary's Magnificat (see video below)!
• Try this Lectio Divina of Mary visiting Elizabeth and a Visio Divina of the wonderful picture above (the artist gave me permission to use this here. Follow this link to other art by him.)

• Meditate on Jesus being redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and light for you.

I paused and connected with God by stilling myself. Then I reflected on the path of light He has given me, recalling times where He led me in a clear, well-lighted path. I had a time of Interactive Gratitude journaling, reflecting on the peace and abundance I have experienced as I have followed that path. Then, I listened to what He had to say to me about that.

PRAYER

Let John Rutter's rendition of the Magnificat lead you into worship and prayer:

Lord, I cannot study this and not believe that You are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD who came into my dark life.  Everything fits together so perfectly. Thank You for Your Word that shows us all of this. Amen. Would you shine on my friend's dark life today.

A beautiful Advent ceremony is contained in the book, Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman. I had the pleasure of meeting Martha, and she has poured her heart into this book!


If you are starting the Gospel Harmony Book Club in December, light the four candles around your Advent Wreath if you are doing this during the Christmas season, and meditate on how Jesus is the light in the darkness. 

4-5. Angel Gabriel Promises Baby Boys

December 23 or January 3

LINK: Luke 1:5-38 

STORYTELLING: Angels to Mary and Joseph

BACKGROUND

Both these events are so significant! God had not spoken through angels or prophets for four hundred years. The angel promises of baby boys to both Zechariah and Mary were phenomenal! The Messiah (Jesus) and His forerunner (John) had both been prophesied from of old. 

4.  An angel promises the birth of John to Zechariah: Luke 1:5-25

Zacharias was a member of the course of Abijah, one of the twenty-four clans or ranks of priests who maintained the Temple ritual (1 Chronicles 24:10). The 'courses' took turns in conducting the ceremonies of worship and each member usually had the privilege of presiding once in his lifetime (1 Chronicles 24:19). The opportunity of offering incense was the high point of Zacharias' career, for he was delegated to enter into the holy place of the Temple, where the altar of incense stood before the mysterious veil that concealed the Holy of Holies.  (Merrill c. Tenney, New Testament Times, p. 139)

Zechariah and Elizabeth were godly people but were not able to have children, which was shameful in Jewish culture and a sign of the absence of God's blessing. But God had broken through the barrenness barrier to accomplish His purposes in the past (Isaac, Samson, Samuel), and He would break through it again to bring us a very key figure in the gospel narrative. 

Incense and prayers were offered twice a day, and while this happened prayers were offered by the people when they saw the smoke. Gabriel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21) announced that Zechariah's prayer for a son would be answered.  Note the six things said about John in Luke 1:14-17. One significant characteristic was that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit. It should be noted that Luke refers to the Holy Spirit more than any other gospel author.

John would "go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah" (1:17). This is a reference to Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6 which speak of a messenger to be sent to clear the way before the Lord and who would turn hearts of children to fathers and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.  

Zechariah had a hard time believing when God broke through the barrenness.  Consequently, his punishment was that he could not speak until his son was born. 

"The Annunciation" By Paolo de Matteis (Saint Louis Art Museum official site) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

5. An angel promises the birth of Jesus to Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Mary was a poor, young girl (some commentators think as young as 12 or 13) from Nazareth, and God chose her to be the mother of the Messiah. WOW! The Greek word for "highly favored" comes from the root word charis, "grace." Mary was a recipient of God's special grace.

Note that Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid" to both Zechariah and Mary. He also told her of her Son's special characteristics, as he did to Zechariah. He was to be the "Son of the Most High":

The Septuagint often used the term “Most High” (hypsistou) to translate the Hebrew ‘elyôn (cf. v. 76). Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. The fact that her Baby was to be called the “Son of the Most High” pointed to His equality with Yahweh. In Semitic thought a son was a “carbon copy” of his father, and the phrase “son of” was often used to refer to one who possessed his “father’s” qualities (e.g., the Heb. trans. “son of wickedness” in Ps. 89:22 [kjv] means a wicked person). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, Volume 2, p.,205)

God promised David that his kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus fulfilled this promise.  

The name Jesus is also very significant. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua, which means "the Lord saves." Joshua led the people into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1, 2), and Jesus would lead His people to salvation.

Unlike Zechariah, Mary was not punished for her questioning.  She asked how Jesus would be born to her if she was a virgin, Gabriel must have known the heart behind her question.

Mary's response is so beautiful: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).  I wish we could all have that response to God's will! 

Some commentators believe that Luke must have interviewed Mary personally because this account is so personal, reflecting her deep inward feelings. 

REFLECTION

I have never had an angel visit me, but this story brings back fond memories of a day during the Christmas season of 1991 when God told me that the baby due in January would be a boy.  Later that day, while driving to a performance of The Nutcracker, I told George about what God told me, and to my surprise, he said, "Carol, God told me the same thing this morning!" It was fun to tell our son that story on the way to see The Nutcracker again twenty years later! 

I think that this is confirmation that God does speak to us today, and we do not have to wait four hundred years for God to break through the silence.

APPLICATION

Here are some possible suggestions for application:

• Spend some time listening to God. That means shutting out the busyness of your life to really find some solitude and silence. Take some time to still yourself. It doesn't need to be a long and formal thing. Simply bow your head, connect to His presence, and listen.
• Try this Lectio Divina of the Angel Visiting Mary.
• You might like to follow with Interactive Gratitude journaling.

If you are starting your reading in December, I recommend The Nativity Story movie. It portrays Mary and Joseph's perspectives in a wonderful way!  (It is also written by Mike Rich, an Oregon State University graduate.)

Here is a picture of a meditation time in this passage with my "Wellspring" group (five ladies who gather to listen to God together):

Day 72 of #100Happydays - Wellspring time in Luke 1:26-38.

A photo posted by Carol Weaver (@carolfoasia) on Dec 3, 2015 at 3:54pm PST

PRAYER

Lord, I know You speak. Help us to be silent, to listen, to not be afraid, and to respond in obedience to what You tell us, like Mary. Amen. 

3. The Record of Jesus' Ancestors

Rose window on the south end of transept arm, St. Denis Cathedral, St. Denis, France. The stained glass depicts the Tree of Jesse (ancestors of Christ from Jesse onwards) in the Art Nouveau style. From Wikimedia Commons

January 2 or December 22

LINK:  Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38 

BACKGROUND

3. The record of Jesus' ancestors  

Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew was a Jewish tax collector, and he wrote this gospel for a Jewish audience that awaited the Messiah who was to be the "son of David, the son of Abraham." That is why this genealogy is the first thing you read in the book of Matthew. This is very significant!

Matthew traces the legal or royal ancestry of the Messiah through Joseph, Jesus' legal (if not biological) father. Matthew's beginning point is Abraham. 

If you have been part of the Bible Book Club Old Testament readings, this genealogy will contain many familiar names. One example is Ruth, our family reads the book of Ruth for our Jesse Tree Christmas devotional (see REFLECTION and APPLICATION below), and we review that Ruth, a Gentile, was the great-grandmother of King David and King David was Jesus' grandfather times 28 greats!

It was common for generations to be left out as Matthew did when he arranged the genealogy in groups of 14 ("son of" can mean son or descendant). 

It should be noted that Jews have never questioned the lineage of Jesus.

It is also interesting to note that five women are mentioned in Matthew's genealogy: Tamar (Genesis 18:15-30), Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24, 6:21-25), Ruth (Ruth 1:1-19; 4:13-17), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), Mary (Luke 1:26-38). You can read backgrounds about them in a group of previous Bible Book Club posts HERE.

Genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew through Joseph's Line

Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah & Tamar Pharez Hezron Ram

Amminadab Nahshon Salmon & Rahab Boaz & Ruth Obed JESSE David & Wife of Uriah

Solomon Rehoboam Abijam Asa Jehosaphat Jehoram Uzziah

Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah Manasseh Amon Josiah Jeconiah -  CAPTIVITY

Shealtiel Zerubbabel Abiud Eliakim Azor Zadok Achim

Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph & Mary * Jesus

from "Genealogy of Jesus" at Wikipedia.org

Luke 3:23-38

It helps to see the two genealogies on top of each other. I have put where the generations overlap in bold blue and the person where they diverge in bold red. Note that Luke starts several generations before Matthew (non-bold blue).

Genealogy of Jesus according to Luke through Mary's Line

God Adam Seth Enosh Kenan Mahalalel Jared Enoch Methuselah Lamech Noah Shem Arphaxad

Cainan Shelah Eber Peleg Reu Serug Nahor Terah Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Pharez

Hezron Ram Amminadab Nahshon Salmon Boaz Obed JESSE David Nathan Mattatha Menna Melea

Eliakim Jonam Joseph Judah Simeon Levi Matthat Jorim Eliezer Joshua Er Elmadam Cosam

Addi Melchi Neri - CAPTIVITY Shealtiel Zerubbabel Rhesa Joanan Joda Josech Semein Mattathias Mahath Naggai

Hesli Nahum Amos Mattathias Joseph Jannai Melchi Levi Matthat Heli Mary[5] & Joseph* Jesus

Luke traces the physical, or priestly, line of Jesus through Mary, His biological mother, and starts with Adam because he wrote primarily for the Gentiles. He wanted them to know they were part of God's wonderful plan because we are all sons of Adam. From Abraham to David, the Matthew and Luke genealogies are identical, but they diverge at the two sons of David: Solomon and Nathan. They come back again during the Babylonian Captivity at Shealtiel who was the biological son of Neri but the adopted heir of Jechoniah. Jechoniah had no male heirs because he was cursed by God for his sins (Jeremiah 22:30). 

REFLECTION

Genealogies may seem boring to some, but once you understand why they are there, it is quite exciting! To really understand the phenomenal thing about Jesus and the Scarlet Thread of Redemption, it is important to know His lineage. 

Every Christmas we do a "Jesse Tree" reading of Scripture where we trace the line of Jesus all the way back to Creation! Do you see Jesse's name in capital letters in both genealogies above (13 in Matthew and 34 in Luke)?  

Here is a little more about the history of the Jesse tree:

In the old days, in the front of any family Bible, a record was kept of that family's history: the marriages, the children born of those marriages, the marriages and offspring of those children. Over the course of generations, those fading, spidery lines spread outwards like branches and twigs from a single trunk. That is why we call such a record a "family tree." 

Similarly, there would have been in any number of churches, a "Jesse tree" -- a depiction of Jesus' family tree in wood, or stone, or stained glass. Church garments might even have been embroidered with a tree. 

Even thousands of years ago, when the stories of the Old Testament were first told, families were pictured as trees branching out from a single trunk.

"A shoot will spring from the stock of Jesse, and from his roots a bud will blossom." said the prophet Isaiah in the Bible (Isaiah 11:1-5), foretelling the birth of Jesus. It is this verse which gave rise to the tradition of Jesse trees in churches. 

Jesse trees were the Bible-storybooks of unlettered people. A priest could point to the figures or symbols, and tell the stories of those Old Testament kings, prophets, heroines, warriors. And the tree itself served to show how the New Testament grew out of the Old Testament; how, for Christians, the birth of Jesus was not just a beginning, but a completion. He was the flowering of a tree planted long before, by God's own design. By tracing his earthly ancestry back to King David and beyond, it was easy, too, to see Jesus as a real historical figure.  

That forest of ancient Jesse trees fashioned in the Middle Ages is long gone. Puritan vandals of the seventeenth century, in their attempt to destroy "graven images," smashed the heads from saints, the wings from angels, the figures from Jesse trees. No tree survives undamaged.

But in recent times, a new tradition has grown up -- a new strain of Jesse tree "grown" at home. Still planted for the sake of its stories, symbols are added day by day during the season of Advent, and day by day the old stories are retold, culminating in the stories of the first Christmas. (The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean)

We love our "grown at home" version that we have done since Christmas 1997 when my kids were three and five. Even though both my kids are adults, they still love to read (or recall) each story (when they are home) and put the corresponding "ornament" on the tree. And this does not have to be for only those of you with children at home. It is for anyone, no matter what age. 

Here is a picture of ours:

APPLICATION

You might like to start your own Jesse Tree tradition next December 1. The whole month of November in YEAR THREE of the Bible Book Club is devoted to making your own Jesse Tree. But you can start anytime by going to the posts here:

The Jesse Tree (They are in reverse order so click on the calendar.)

I have also put all the posts in a downloadable devotional, so you don't have to read them in reverse order: 

The Jesse Tree Devotional

Here is a link to a handout with just the Scripture readings and activities for the family that can be tucked in your Bible for easy reference. I adapted it from an anonymous source several years ago. 

Jesse Tree Readings

Also, two of the women I have discipled have made really fancy Jesse Trees. One has pockets for the reading and the symbol for each day. If you want to contact these people, message me at Body and Soul Companion. 

Another possible application would be to ponder that God is with you! I find Immanuel Journaling really helpful for fully experiencing Him with me.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for sending Jesus at just the right time in history to fulfill Your sovereign plan of salvation for the whole earth. Amen