Our Jesse Tree

After some not-so-subtle prodding and all the wonderful readings last week--how could you not be moved by the thought of our Lord coming again and bringing us home with him?--I am ready for this Advent.  I know what I'm supposed to help our family to remember and to practice as we prepare for Christmas.  It's that change of perspective from looking inward to working outward to draw others to Christ.  We're to bring to the front of our consciousness and existence the Christ is King, that he is our Savior, and that his promises are true and wonderful for those who humbly turn to him.  Let's do it!

Every year, though I love the Jesse tree readings and decorations, the devotion trudges along.  The readings   can be long for the under-5 set.  They can be difficult to plan with rifle nights and Christmas concerts, etc.  Sure enough, most years we're three weeks into Advent and trying to "catch up" on our Jesse tree.  Completely not what it's supposed to be.

Here's what I've been inspired to do:  I've got several different versions of the devotion kicking around.  One year we could do the traditional tracing of Jesus' ancestors; another, we could read through God's encounters with humanity; another, the establishment of his kingdom; and finally, what I have in mind for this year:  God's promises.

Focusing on God's promises gives us a way to talk about what we read:  whose lives to God touch?  What did he promise through his interactions?  Why did he make those promises?  I've got a whole list of holy men and women and their stories in the Bible, from Adam and Eve to Moses, to the widow of Zarephath, to our beloved Holy Family.   The last one I have in mind is my favorite promise that Jesus himself made:   "I am with you always, until the end of the world" (Matt 28:20).  Still trying to figure a good symbol for that one.

With prayers to good St. Nicholas and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, this devotion can move our family a little closer to Christ and to the promises of our heavenly Father.  Let us open our hearts to his Spirit, that we can always stay awake and welcome his coming into our lives and this poor, broken world.