call:
The Lord be with you.

response:
And also with you.

call:
Today’s symbol is the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is Jesus’ family tree, and the family tree of all God’s people.

response:
Thanks be to God!

Scripture reading: Isaiah 11:1-2 (or 11:1-10*)

Have you ever seen a tree stump? It’s a sad sight: something that used to be tall and beautiful, deeply rooted in the earth, is now broken and dead. The leaves, which the tree used to turn sunlight into food, are gone. And there are no branches for birds to roost in, or shade for people to enjoy. How can anything new or good come out of it?

Many, many years ago, God’s people were like a lifeless tree stump. They were supposed to be like a big, beautiful tree: reaching their arms up to heaven, trusting in God, and offering protection and peace to
the world. But instead, they forgot God’s ways and did not care for one another. They were more like a broken stump than a healthy tree.

But God made a wonderful promise! God would bring new life, even out of a stump. Jesse was King David’s father, and God was going to give the world another king. And this king would be even greater than David! This king would come from the broken stump of God’s people, and he would be for the whole world.

pray:
Faithful God, thank you for keeping your promises. Help us wait together this Advent for your promised King. Help us see your faithfulness through the story of your people, and the story of Jesus’ family tree. In Jesus’ name, Amen.