Jesse Tree December 15

On the Jesse Tree today, we place a scroll representing the prophet Isaiah who tells us about the Messiah who will come. Isaiah tells us the Savior will be born of a virgin. What an unlikely event!! Yet that is exactly what happened. It was so unlikely that it took an angel to tell Mary about it and an angel to convince Joseph that it really did happen.

Another prophecy that Isaiah gives us is that the Messiah's name would be Immanuel which means God with us. That name is all revealing of the nature of God. HE comes to us. We don't work and work and finally perfect ourselves so that we can go to Him. HE comes to us. HE is not a remote God, somewhere up there but can be found here and now in the Bread and the Wine. HE comes to us. HE is not a God whose voice can not be heard because HE is the very Word of God. Jesus Christ is Who and How God speaks to us.

Advent means coming and it is God-With-Us who comes at Christmas time. We look forward to the return of the Baby at the end time to take us with Him to heaven.

Isaiah hath foretold It in words of promise sure,

and Mary's arms enfold It, a virgin meek and pure.

Through God's eternal will This Child to her is given

At midnight calm and still.