Jesse Tree Day 21

J.M.J.

Christ as Oriens (rising sun)



Isaias 9:2
[2] The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. [Isaias (Isaiah) 9:2] [Latin]

More HERE!

Jesse Tree Day 20

J.M.J.

Today is day 20 - Christ as Clavis David (key)


Isaias 22:22
[22] And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open. [Isaias (Isaiah) 22:22] [Latin]

Isaias 9:6
[6] For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.

 

More goodies HERE!

Jesse Tree Day 19

J.M.J.

Day 19 is Christ as Radix Jesse (flower)



Isaias 11:1,10  (The specific verses are verse 1 and 10, but I like all the ones between too!) 

Of the spiritual kingdom of Christ, to which all nations shall repair.

[1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. [2] And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. [3] And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. [4] But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. [5] And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins. [6] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them. [7] The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk. [9] They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea. [10] In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious. [Isaias (Isaiah) 11:1-10] [Latin]

Micheas 5:1

The birth of Christ in Bethlehem: his reign and spiritual conquests.

[1] Now shalt thou be laid waste, O daughter of the robber: they have laid siege against us, with a rod shall they strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. [Micheas (Micah) 5:1] [Latin]

More good stuff to read and listen to HERE

 

Jesse Tree Day 18

J.M.J.

Today is Christ as Adonai (represented as a crown)



Isaias 11: 4-5
[4] But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. [5] And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins. [Isaias (Isaiah) 11:4-5] [Latin]

Isaias 33:22
 [22] For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king: he will save us.

Go HERE for more information and chant music for today!

Jesse Tree Day 17

J.M.J.

Day 17 is the first day of O Antiphons (the Golden Nights)

The following is taken from Father Z's website:

The O Antiphons developed during the Church's very first centuries. The writer Boethius (+525) mentions them. By the 8th century they were in use in Rome. There are seven of these special antiphons, and their texts spring from the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures, the Prophetic and Wisdom Books. They are found in the Liturgy of the Hours or older Roman Breviary, which clerics, religious, consecrated virgins, and others use for daily prayer.

The O Antiphons are short prayers sung before and after the Magnificat, the great prayer of Mary in Luke 1:46-55 when coming visit to Elizabeth her cousin the Virgin praised God for His favor wondrous deeds. The Magnificat is sung during Vespers, evening prayer. The O Antiphons begin on 17 December, seven days before the Vigil of Christmas (24 December). The seventh and last antiphon is sung at Vespers on 23 December. They are called the "O Antiphons" because they all begin with the letter-word "O": they address Jesus by one of His Old Testament titles. They are fervent prayers asking Our Lord to come to us.

Advent is about the many ways in which the Lord comes. He came historically at Bethlehem in the fullness of time. In the liturgical year he comes to us sacramentally. He will come again at the end of the world as Judge of the living and the dead. Christ comes to us also in the two-fold consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ by the priest at Holy Mass and, in a special way in a good Holy Communion. He comes in the person of the priest, who is alter Christus, another Christ. He comes in the words of Holy Scripture. He also comes in the person of our neighbor, especially those who are in need of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

During Advent, John the Baptist has been reminding us in the liturgy to "make straight His paths". When we come to the Lord in death, or He comes to us in His Second Coming, He will make straight the path whether we have during our earthly lives done our best to straighten it ahead of time or not. Let us now, while we may, make straight the paths by which Christ Jesus comes.

Here are two more interesting notes about these O Antiphons.

The first is not apparent in English, but it can be seen clearly in the official language of the Roman Catholic Church: Latin. The Latin versions of each of the titles of the Messiah are: Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root), Clavis (Key), Oriens (Dawn), Rex (King), and Emmanuel (Emmanuel). Take the first letters of each of the titles, starting with the last and working back to the first. You spell: EROCRAS or "ero cras... I will be (there) tomorrow".

The song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is simply a reworking of the seven O Antiphons. When you sing it, you are joining yourself to a vast throng of Christians stretching back across centuries and spanning the whole of the earth who prayed as all Christians do, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20)



Day 17 is Christ as Sapientia (represented as an oil lamp)

Isaias 28:29
[29] This also is come forth from the Lord God of hosts, to make his counsel wonderful, and magnify justice. [Isaias (Isaiah) 28:29] [Latin]

Wisdom 11:2-3
 [2] They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents. [3] They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries. [Wisdom 11:2-3] [Latin]

Go HERE for more information and music on this blessed day!

Jesse Tree Day 16

J.M.J.

Day 16 is John the Baptist.

Mark 1:1-8

The preaching of John the Baptist. Christ is baptized by him. He calls his disciples and works many miracles. [1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee. [3] A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. [4] John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins. [5] And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. [6] And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey. [7] And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. [8] I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. [Mark 1:1-8] [Latin]

Jesse Tree Day 15

J.M.J.

Today is dedicated to Our Lady!  (I love this picture!)

Genesis 3:15
[15] I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. [Genesis 3:15] [Latin]


Matthew 1:18-25
Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. [19] Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. [20] But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

  [21] And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. [22] Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: [23] Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [24] And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. [25] And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. [Matthew 1:18-25] [Latin]

***[25] Till she brought forth her firstborn son: From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.

 

 

Luke 1:26-38

 

 

[26] And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. [29] Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. [30] And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. [31] Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. [33] And of his kingdom there shall be no end. [34] And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? [35] And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. [36] And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: [37] Because no word shall be impossible with God. [38] And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. [Luke 1:26-38] [Latin]

Jesse Tree Day 14

J.M.J.

Oh good St. Joseph, hear our prayers! 
(Have ot retake the picture - it is coming soon!)


Matthew 1:18-25

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. [19] Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. [20] But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. [22] Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: [23] Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [24] And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. [25] And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. [Matthew 1:18-25] [Latin]  

***[25] Till she brought forth her firstborn son: From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.

Jesse Tree Day 13

J.M.J.

Day #13 is Solomon.  My 10yo son had a really hard time with this one.  He couldn't get past the command to divide the infant and wondered why the mother said to let the other woman have it after the command was given.  He presumed, I suppose, that once the command was given, it would be done according to his wishes.  We had to explain to him that once he revealed who the real mother was, the command to divide the baby was cancelled.  (His ears seemed to keep closeing before we got to the [27] The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof.) 

Whew!  And I thought explaining the story of Abraham and Isaac to children was hard!

III Kings 3:5-14, 16-28

[5] And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee.

[6] And Solomon said: Thou hast shewn great mercy to thy servant David my father, even at, he walked before thee in truth, and justice, and an upright heart with thee: and thou hast kept thy great mercy for him, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O Lord God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of the people which thou hast chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people which is so numerous? [10] And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. [11] And the Lord said to Solomon: Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life or riches, nor the lives of thy enemies, but hast asked for thyself wisdom to discern judgment, [12] Behold I have done for thee according to thy words, and have given thee a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there hath been no one like thee before thee, nor shall arise after thee. [13] Yea and the things also which thou didst not ask, I have given thee: to wit riches and glory, as that no one hath been like thee among the kings in all days heretofore. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my precepts, and my commandments, as thy father walked, I will lengthen thy days. [3 Kings (1 Kings) 3:5-14] [Latin]

[16] Then there came two women that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him: [17] And one of them said: I beseech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the chamber. [18] And the third day, after that I was delivered, she also was delivered, and we were together, and no other person with us in the house, only we two. [19] And this woman's child died in the night: for in her sleep she overlaid him. [20] And rising in the dead time of the night, she took my child from my side, while I thy handmaid was asleep, and laid it in her bosom: and laid her dead child in my bosom. [21] And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore. [22] And the other woman answered: It is not so as thou sayest, but thy child is dead, and mine is alive. On the contrary she said: Thou liest: for my child liveth, and thy child is dead. And in this manner they strove before the king. [23] Then said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay, but thy child is dead, and mine liveth. [24] The king therefore said: Bring me a sword. And when they had brought a sword before the king, [25] Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. [26] But the woman whose child was alive, said to the king, (for her bowels were moved upon her child,) I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [27] The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof. [28] And all Israel heard the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king, seeing that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.

Jesse Tree Day 12

J.M.J.

Day 12 is David.

[12] Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Juda before mentioned, whose name was Isai, who had eight sons, and was an old man in the days of Saul, and of great age among men. [13] And his three eldest sons followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle, were Eliab the firstborn, and the second Abinadab, and the third Samma. [14] But David was the youngest. So the three eldest having followed Saul, [15] David went, and returned from Saul, to feed his father's flock at Bethlehem.
[16] Now the Philistine came out morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. [17] And Isai said to David his son: Take for thy brethren an ephi of frumenty, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren. [18] And carry these ten little cheeses to the tribune: and go see thy brethren, if they are well: and learn with whom they are placed. [19] But Saul, and they, and all the children of Israel were in the valley of Terebinth fighting against the Philistines. [20] David therefore arose in the morning, and gave the charge of the flock to the keeper: and went away loaded as Isai had commanded him. And he came to the place of Magala, and to the army, which was going out to fight, and shouted for the battle. [21] For Israel had put themselves in array, and the Philistines who stood against them were prepared. [22] And David leaving the vessels which he had brought, under the care of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the place of the battle and asked if all things went well with his brethren. [23] And as he talked with them, that baseborn man whose name was Goliath, the Philistine, of Geth, shewed himself coming up from the camp of the Philistines: and he spoke according to the same words, and David heard them. [24] And all the Israelites when they saw the man, fled from his face, fearing him exceedingly. [25] And some one of Israel said: Have you seen this man that is come up, for he is come up to defy Israel. And the man that shall slay him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and will make his father's house free from tribute in Israel. [26] And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying: What shall be given to the man that shall kill this Philistine, and shall take away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? [27] And the people answered him the same words saying: These things shall be given to the man that shall slay him. [28] Now when Eliab his eldest brother heard this, when he was speaking with others, he was angry with David, and said: Why earnest thou hither? and why didst thou leave those few sheep in the desert? I know thy pride, and the wickedness of thy heart: that thou art come down to see the battle. [29] And David said: What have I done? is there not cause to speak? [30] And he turned a little aside from him to another: and said the same word. And the people answered him as before. [31] And the words which David spoke were heard, and were rehearsed before Saul. [32] And when he was brought to him, he said to him: Let not any man's heart be dismayed in him: I thy servant will go, and will fight against the Philistine. [33] And Saul said to David: Thou art not able to withstand this Philistine, nor to fight against him: for thou art but a boy, but he is a warrior from his youth. [34] And David said to Saul: Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, or a bear, and took a ram out of the midst of the flock: [35] And I pursued after them, and struck them, and delivered it out of their mouth: and they rose up against me, and I caught them by the throat, and I strangled and killed them. [36] For I thy servant have killed both a lion and a bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be also as one of them. I will go now, and take away the reproach of the people: for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who hath dared to curse the army of the living God? [37] And David said: The Lord who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David: Go, and the Lord be with thee. [38] And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a helmet of brass upon his head, and armed him with a coat of mail. [39] And David having girded his sword upon his armour, began to try if he could walk in armour: for he was not accustomed to it. And David said to Saul: I cannot go thus, for I am not used to it. And he laid them off, [40] And he took his staff, which he had always in his hands: and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them into the shepherd's scrip, which he had with him, and he took a sling in his hand, and went forth against the Philistine. [41] And the Philistine came on, and drew nigh against David, and his armourbearer before him. [42] And when the Philistine looked, and beheld David, he despised him. For he was a young man, ruddy, and of a comely countenance. [43] And the Philistine said to David: Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with a staff? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. [44] And he said to David: Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth. [45] And David said to the Philistine: Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, which thou hast defied. [46] This day, and the Lord will deliver thee into my hand, and I will slay thee, and take away thy head from thee: and I will give the carcasses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air, and to the beasts of the earth: that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] And all this assembly shall know, that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for it is his battle, and he will deliver you into our hands. [48] And when the Philistine arose and was coming, and drew nigh to meet David, David made haste, and ran to the fight to meet the Philistine. [49] And he put his hand into his scrip, and took a stone, and cast it with the sling, and fetching it about struck the Philistine in the forehead: and the stone was fixed in his forehead, and he fell on his face upon the earth. [50] And David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone, and he struck, and slew the Philistine. And as David had no sword in his hand, [51] He ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head. And the Philistines seeing that their champion was dead, fled away. [1 Kings (1 Samuel) 17:12-51] [Latin]

Jesse Tree Day 11

J.M.J.

Day 11 is Jesse.  I love these icons of the Jesse Tree and had a hard time choosing which one to use for the ornament!  Jesse tree on which these ornaments are hanging are on a 6 foot tree.  These will remain on the tree all the way through Christmas Eve.  I will take a picture when the tree is finished.  it is aleady looking so lovely!

Samuel is sent to Bethlehem, where he anointeth David: who is taken into Saul's family.

  [1] And the Lord said to Samuel: How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, whom I have rejected from reigning over Israel? fill thy horn with oil, and come, that I may send thee to Isai the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. [2] And Samuel said: How shall I go? for Saul will hear of it, and he will kill me. And the Lord said: Thou shalt take with thee a calf of the herd, and thou shalt say: I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. [3] And thou shalt call Isai to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou art to do, and thou shalt anoint him whom I shall shew to thee. [4] Then Samuel did as the Lord had said to him. And he came to Bethlehem, and the ancients of the city wondered, and meeting him, they said: Is thy coming hither peaceable? [5] And he said: It is peaceable: I am come to offer sacrifice to the Lord, be ye sanctified, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Isai and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. [6] And when they were come in, he saw Eliab, and said: Is the Lord's anointed before him? [7] And the Lord said to Samuel: Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature: because I have rejected him, nor do I judge according to the look of man: for man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord beholdeth the heart. [8] And Isai called Abinadab, and brought him before Samuel. And he said: Neither hath the Lord chosen this. [9] And Isai brought Samma, and he said of him: Neither hath the Lord chosen this. [10] Isai therefore brought his seven sons before Samuel: and Samuel said to Isai: The Lord hath not chosen any one of these. [11] And Samuel said to Isai: Are here all thy sons? He answered: There remaineth yet a young one, who keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Isai: Send, and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he come hither. [12] He sent therefore and brought him Now he was ruddy and beautiful to behold, and of a comely face. And the Lord said: Arise, and anoint him, for this is he. [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward: and Samuel rose up, and went to Ramatha. [1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:1-13] [Latin]

Jesse Tree Day 10

J.M.J.

Today's theme is Samson - may He be so clear when He calls me to do His will!  And may He not catch me sleeping!

1 Kings 2:21, 3:1-20

[21] And the Lord visited Anna, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters: and the child Samuel became great before the Lord. [1 Kings (1 Samuel) 2:21-3] [Latin]

David, after giving his last charge to Solomon, dieth. Adonias is put to death: Abiathar is banished: Joab and Semei are slain.

[1] And the days of David drew nigh that he should die, and he charged his son Solomon, saying: [2] I am going the way of all flesh: take thou courage, and shew thyself a man. [3] And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and observe his ceremonies, and his precepts, and judgments, and testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses: that thou mayest understand all thou dost, and whithersoever thou shalt turn thyself: [4] That the Lord may confirm his words, which he hath spoken of me, saying: If thy children shall take heed to their ways, and shall walk before me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, there shall not be taken away from thee a man on the throne of Israel. [5] Thou knowest also what Joab the son of Sarvia hath done to me, what he did to the two captains of the army of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether: whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

***[5] Joab: These instructions given by David to his son, with relation to Joab and Semei, proceeded not from any rancour of heart, or private pique; but from a zeal for justice, that crimes so public and heinous might not pass unpunished. [6] Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoary head go down to hell in peace. [7] But shew kindness to the sons of Berzellai the Galaadite, and let them eat at thy table: for they met me when I fled from the face of Absalom thy brother. [8] Thou hast also with thee Semei the son of Gera the son of Jemini of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse, when I went to the camp: but because he came down to meet me when I passed over the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying: I will not kill thee with a sword: [9] Do not thou hold him guiltless. But thou art a wise man, and knowest what to do with him, and thou shalt bring down his grey hairs with blood to hell. [10] So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

[6] To hell: This word hell doth not here signify the place or state of damnation; but the place and state of the dead. [11] And the days that David reigned in Israel, were forty years: in Hebron he reigned seven years, in Jerusalem thirty-three. [12] And Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was strengthened exceedingly. [13] And Adonias the son of Haggith came to Bethsabee the mother of Solomon. And she said to him: Is thy coming peaceable? he answered: Peaceable. [14] And he added: I have a word to speak with thee. She said to him: Speak. And he said: [15] Thou knowest that the kingdom was nine, and all Israel had preferred me to be their king: but the kingdom is transferred, and is become my brother's: for it was appointed him by the Lord. [16] Now therefore I ask one petition of thee: turn not away my face. And she said to him: Say on. [17] And he said: I pray thee speak to king Solomon (for he cannot deny thee any thing) to give me Abisag the Sunamitess to wife. [18] And Bethsabee said: Well, I will speak for thee to the king. [19] Then Bethsabee came to king Solomon, to speak to him for Adonias: and the king arose to meet her, and bowed to her, and sat down upon his throne: and a throne was set for the king's mother, and she sat on his right hand. [20] And she said to him: I desire one small petition of thee, do not put me to confusion. And the king said to her: My mother, ask: for I must not turn away thy face.

Jesse Tree Day 9

J.M.J.

Day 9 is Moses.  There were so many pictures I could have chosen, but for some reason this picture really stayed with me.  Moses' mother is just moving Moses off to his new life, entrusting his safety to God.  What faith.  What hope.  And what strength she must have had.

Moses is born and exposed on the bank of the river; where he is taken up by the daughter of Pharao, and adopted for her son. He killeth an Egyptian, and fleeth into Madian; where he marrieth a wife.

[1] After this there went a man of the house of Levi; and took a wife of his own kindred. [2] And she conceived, and bore a son; and seeing him a goodly child hid him three months. [3] And when she could hide him no longer, she took a basket made of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch: and put the little babe therein, and laid him in the sedges by the river's brink, [4] His sister standing afar off, and taking notice what would be done. [5] And behold the daughter of Pharao came down to wash herself in the river: and her maids walked by the river's brink. And when she saw the basket in the sedges, she sent one of her maids for it: and when it was brought, [6] She opened it and seeing within it an infant crying, having compassion on it she said: This is one of the babes of the Hebrews. [7] And the child's sister said to her Shall I go and call to thee a Hebrew woman, to nurse the babe? [8] She answered: Go. The maid went and called her mother. [9] And Pharao's daughter said to her. Take this child and nurse him for me: I will give thee thy wages. The woman took, and nursed the child: and when he was grown up, she delivered him to Pharao's daughter. [10] And she adopted him for a son, and called him Moses, saying: Because I took him out of the water. [Exodus 2:1-10] [Latin]

[10] Moses: Or Moyses, in the Egyptian tongue, signifies one taken or saved out of the water.

Jesse Tree Day 8

J.M.J.

Day 8 is Joseph.  And no matter how hard I try, I cannot help but hear the haunting words of Donny Osmond in my ears, "...I look handsome, I look smart!  I am a walking work of art!  In my shining coat of many colors...."  Awful, I know, but truly I have no control of my inner wiring.

At any rate, here is the best picture I could find.  This is a picture of Joseph being sold as a slave to the slave traders by his brothers. 

And unfortunately there seems to be a mistake on the Fisheater's website, as they did not post the appropriate scriptures for today.  But this is such a fun story to tell, I am sure your children will not mind hearing you tell it in your own words!

Jesse Tree Day 7

J.M.J.

Day 7 is Jacob and the laddar.

Genesis 25:1-34

Abraham's children by Cetura; his death and that of Ismael. Isaac hath Esau and Jacob twins. Esau selleth his first birthright to Jacob.

[1] And Abraham married another wife, named Cetura: [2] Who bore him Zamran, and Jecsan, and Madan, and Madian, and Jesboc, and Sue. [3] Jecsan also begot Saba and Dadan. The children of Dadan were Assurim, and Latusim, and Loomin. [4] But of Madian was born Epha, and Opher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaa: all these were the children of Cetura. [5] And Abraham gave all his possessions to Isaac. [6] And to the children of the concubines he gave gifts, and separated them from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, to the east country. [7] And the days of Abraham's life were a hundred and seventy-five years. [8] And decaying he died in a good old age, and having lived a long time, and being full of days: and was gathered to his people. [9] And Isaac and Ismael his sons buried him in the double cave, which was situated in the field of Ephron the son of Seor the Hethite, over against Mambre; [10] Which he had bought of the children of Heth: there was he buried, and Sara his wife.

[6] Concubines: Agar and Cetura are here called concubines, (though they were lawful wives, and in other places are so called,) because they were of an inferior degree, and such in scripture are usually called concubines. [11] And after his death, God blessed Isaac his son, who dwelt by the well named Of the living and seeing. [12] These are the generations of Ismael the son of Abraham, whom Agar the Egyptian, Sara's servant, bore unto him: [13] And these are the names of his children according to their calling and generations. The firstborn of Ismael was Nabajoth, then Cedar, and Adbeel, and Mabsam. [14] And Masma, and Duma, and Massa, [15] Hadar, and Thema, and Jethur, and Naphis, and Cedma. [16] These are the sons of Ismael: and these are their names by their castles and towns, twelve princes of their tribes. [17] And the years of Ismael's life were a hundred and thirty-seven, and decaying he died, and was gathered unto his people. [18] And he dwelt from Hevila as far as Sur, which looketh towards Egypt, to them that go towards the Assyrians. He died in the presence of all his brethren. [19] These also are the generations of Isaac the son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac: [20] Who when he was forty years old, took to wife Rebecca the daughter of Bathuel the Syrian of Mesopotamia, sister to Laban. [21] And Isaac besought the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and he heard him, and made Rebecca to conceive. [22] But the children struggled in her womb: and she said: If it were to be so with me, what need was there to conceive? And she went to consult the Lord. [23] And he answering said: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be divided out of thy womb, and one people shall overcome the other, and the elder shall serve the younger. [24] And when her time was come to be delivered, behold twins were found in her womb. [25] He that came forth first was red, and hairy like a skin: and his name was called Esau. Immediately the other coming forth, held his brother's foot in his hand, and therefore he was called Jacob. [26] Isaac was threescore years old when the children were born unto him. [27] And when they were grown up, Esau became a skillful hunter, and a husbandman, but Jacob a plain man dwelt in tents. [28] Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his hunting: and Rebecca loved Jacob. [29] And Jacob boiled pottage: to whom Esau, coming faint out of the field, [30] Said: Give me of this red pottage, for I am exceeding faint. For which reason his name was called Edom. [31] And Jacob said to him: Sell me thy first birthright. [32] He answered: Lo I die, what will the first birthright avail me? [33] Jacob said: Swear therefore to me. Esau swore to him, and sold his first birthright. [34] And so taking bread and the pottage of lentils, he ate, and drank, and went his way; making little account of having sold his first birthright. [Genesis 25:1-34] [Latin]

Genesis 28:10-15

[10] But Jacob being departed from Bersabee, went on to Haran.
[11] And when he was come to a certain place, and would rest in it after sunset, he took of the stones that lay there, and putting under his head, slept in the same place. [12] And he saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven: the angels also of God ascending and descending by it; [13] And the Lord leaning upon the ladder, saying to him: I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land, wherein thou sleepest, I will give to thee and to thy seed. [14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth: thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and IN THEE and thy seed all the tribes of the earth SHALL BE BLESSED. [15] And I will be thy keeper whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee back into this land: neither will I leave thee, till I shall have accomplished all that I have said.
 

Jesse Tree Day 6

J.M.J.

Today is a real nail biter of a topic.  My 4 year old son is very impressionable and enjoys reinacting stories he hears.  Needless to say, we glossed over the whole "Abraham is going up the hill to sacrifice Isaac" thing and instead focused on Isaac's obedience to his father, and Abraham's obedience to God the Father, and how these things are one and the same in God's eyes.  We compared it to Jesus obeying God the Father and carrying His cross.  Obedience rooted in love is so, so pleasing to Our Lord!

Genesis 22:1-14

The faith and obedience of Abraham is proved in his readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac. He is stayed from the act by an angel. Former promises are renewed to him.

  [1] After these things, God tempted Abraham, and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. [2] He said to him: Take thy only begotten son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will shew thee. [3] So Abraham rising up in the night, saddled his ass: and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son: and when he had cut wood for the holocaust he went his way to the place which God had commanded him. [4] And on the third day, lifting up his eyes, he saw the place afar off. [5] And he said to his young men: Stay you here with the ass: I and the boy will go with speed as far as yonder, and after we have worshipped, will return to you.

[1] God tempted: God tempteth no man to evil, James 1. 13; but by trial and experiment maketh known to the world, and to ourselves, what we are, as here by this trial the singular faith and obedience of Abraham was made manifest. [6] And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword. And as they two went on together, [7] Isaac said to his father: My father. And he answered: What wilt thou, son? Behold, saith he, fire and wood: where is the victim for the holocaust? [8] And Abraham said: God will provide himself a victim for an holocaust, my son. So they went on together. [9] And they came to the place which God had shewn him, where he built an altar, and laid the wood in order upon it: and when he had bound Isaac his son, he laid him on the altar upon the pile of wood. [10] And he put forth his hand and took the sword, to sacrifice his son. [11] And behold an angel of the Lord from heaven called to him, saying: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. [12] And he said to him: Lay not thy hand upon the boy, neither do thou any thing to him: now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thy only begotten son for my sake. [13] Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw behind his back a ram amongst the briers sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son. [14] And he called the name of that place, The Lord seeth. Whereupon even to this day it is said: In the mountain the Lord will see.

Jesse Tree Day 5

J.M.J.

Today, Day 5, is the story of Abraham.  I love the simplicity of the pencil drawings in this picture, yet the amount od detail and energy radiating off of this print is amazing!  This picture is very good for an art appreciation class.  (Sorry about the flash!)

Genesis 12:1-3

The call of Abram, and the promise made to him. He sojourneth in Chanaan, and then by occasion of a famine, goeth down to Egypt.

  [1] And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father's house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. [3] I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed: [Genesis 12:1-3] [Latin]
 

Jesse Tree Day 4

J.M.J.

Day 4 is Noah.  This is my 4 year old son's second favorite story in the bible at the moment.  (The first favorite is the Creation story, but really, anything having to do with animals is tops in his book!)

Genesis 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22

[5] And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth, and that all the thought of their heart was bent upon evil at all times,  
[6] It repented him that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow of heart, [7] He said: I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man even to beasts, from the creeping thing even to the fowls of the air, for it repenteth me that I have made them. [8] But Noe found grace before the Lord.

[13] He said to Noe: The end of all flesh is come before me, the earth is filled with iniquity through them, and I will destroy them with the earth. [14] Make thee an ark of timber planks: thou shalt make little rooms in the ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without. [15] And thus shalt thou make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits: the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. [16] Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish the top of it: and the door of the ark thou shalt set in the side: with lower, middle chambers, and third stories shalt thou make it. [17] Behold I will bring the waters of a great flood upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, under heaven. All things that are in the earth shall be consumed. [18] And I will establish my covenant with thee, and thou shalt enter into the ark, thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and the wives of thy sons with thee. [19] And of every living creature of all flesh, thou shalt bring two of a sort into the ark, that they may live with thee: of the male sex, and the female. [20] Of fowls according to their kind, and of beasts in their kind, and of every thing that creepeth on the earth according to its kind; two of every sort shall go in with thee, that they may live.
[21] Thou shalt take unto thee of all food that may be eaten, and thou shalt lay it up with thee: and it shall be food for thee and them. [22] And Noe did all things which God commanded him.

Genesis 7

[17] And the flood was forty days upon the earth, and the waters increased, and lifted up the ark on high from the earth.

[23] And he destroyed all the substance that was upon the earth, from man even to beast, and the creeping things and fowls of the air: and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noe only remained, and they that were with him in the ark. [24] And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.

Genesis 8

[1] And God remembered Noe, and all the living creatures, and all the cattle which were with him in the ark, and brought a wind upon the earth, and the waters were abated.

[6] And after that forty days were passed, Noe, opening the window of the ark which he had made, sent forth a raven: [Genesis 8:6] [Latin] [7] Which went forth and did not return, till the waters were dried up upon the earth. [8] He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. [9] But she, not finding where her foot might rest, returned to him into the ark: for the waters were upon the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and caught her, and brought her into the ark. [10] And having waited yet seven other days, he again sent forth the dove out of the ark. [11] And she came to him in the evening, carrying a bough of an olive tree, with green leaves, in her mouth. Noe therefore understood that the waters were ceased upon the earth. [12] And he stayed yet other seven days: and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him. [13] Therefore in the six hundredth and first year, the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were lessened upon the earth, and Noe opening the covering of the ark, looked, and saw that the face of the earth was dried. [14] In the second month, the seven and twentieth day of the month, the earth was dried. [15] And God spoke to Noe, saying: [16] Go out of the ark, thou and thy wife, thy sons, and the wives of thy sons with thee. [17] All living things that are with thee of all flesh, as well in fowls as in beasts, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, bring out with thee, and go ye upon the earth: increase and multiply upon it. [18] So Noe went out, he and his sons: his wife, and the wives of his sons with him. [19] And all living things, and cattle, and creeping things that creep upon the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. [20] And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar. [21] And the Lord smelled a sweet savour, and said: I will no more curse the earth for the sake of man: for the imagination and thought of man's heart are prone to evil from his youth: therefore I will no more destroy every living soul as I have done. [22] All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, night and day, shall not cease.

Jesse Tree Day 3

J.M.J.

The third day of the Jesse Tree speaks of the fall of man.

Genesis 3:1-7 and 23-24

The serpent's craft. The fall of our first parents. Their punishment. The promise of a Redeemer.

  [1] Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise? [2] And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die. [4] And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. [5] For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil. [6] And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat. [7] And the eyes of them both were opened: and when they perceived themselves to be naked, they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves aprons. [Genesis 3:1-7] [Latin]


 [23] And the Lord God sent him out of the paradise of pleasure, to till the earth from which he was taken. [24] And he cast out Adam; and placed before the paradise of pleasure Cherubims, and a flaming sword, turning every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Jesse Tree Day 2

J.M.J.

 

 

OK, after I just explained why I didn't want to use cartoonish images to present the Jesse Tree themes, I had to settle for this one.  It was impossible to find a beautiful picture of Adam and Eve that showed them with clothes on.  (Of course I realize they didn't worry about covering themselves until after the fall, but still - I have 6 children to think about and didn't want to have nude paintings on our Jesse Tree!) 

Day#2  ADAM AND EVE

Genesis 2:7-9, 18-24

God resteth on the seventh day and blesseth it. The earthly paradise, in which God placeth man. He commandeth him not to eat of the tree of knowledge. And formeth a woman of his rib.

 

  [7] And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul. [8] And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed. [9] And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. [Genesis 2:7-9] [Latin]    [18] And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself. [19] And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name. [20] And Adam called all the beasts by their names, and all the fowls of the air, and all the cattle of the field: but for Adam there was not found a helper like himself. [21] Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. [22] And the Lord God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam. [23] And Adam said: This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. [24] Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.