The Jesse Tree is a visual way of tracing the family tree of Christ back through the Old Testament. This biblical Advent calendar will enable you to prepare for Christmas, day by day, by finding out more about the men and women who were the ancestors of Christ. Each day includes a short explanation of … Continue reading The Jesse Tree Advent Calendar
Tag: Advent
The Virgin Mary, the mother of the Messiah
24th December “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.” (Luke 1:31-32) As we reach Christmas Eve, we now turn to … Continue reading The Virgin Mary, the mother of the Messiah
St Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family
23rd December “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to receive Mary into your home as your wife. For this child has been conceived in her womb through the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew … Continue reading St Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family
St John the Baptist, Prophet of the Most High
22nd December “And you, my child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” (Luke 1:76-77) St John the Baptist was the last of the great prophets of Israel and a … Continue reading St John the Baptist, Prophet of the Most High
The Prophet Malachi speaks of the Messiah’s temple
21st December “Behold, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. And suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to the temple.” (Malachi 3:1) The book of Malachi was written after the reconstruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Zerubbabel, probably in the 5th century BC, when Judah was without a … Continue reading The Prophet Malachi speaks of the Messiah’s temple
The Prophet Micah speaks of the Messiah’s birth
20th December “But from you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, among the tiniest of the clans of Judah, from you will come forth for me one who is to be a ruler in Israel, one whose origins are from the distant past, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:1) Micah was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets and possibly … Continue reading The Prophet Micah speaks of the Messiah’s birth
The Prophet Hosea speaks of the Messiah in Egypt
19th December “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1) While Isaiah was prophesying in Judah, a new prophet’s voice was heard in the north, in the land of Israel. His name was Hosea and he lived in the 8th century BC. He was the … Continue reading The Prophet Hosea speaks of the Messiah in Egypt
The Prophet Daniel speaks of a royal coronation
18th December “I beheld approaching on the clouds of heaven one like a son of man. He came before the Ancient One and was presented to him. Dominion and glory and kingship were conferred upon him so that all peoples and nations of every language would become his servants.” (Daniel 7:13) Daniel was the fourth … Continue reading The Prophet Daniel speaks of a royal coronation
The Prophet Ezekiel speaks of a royal shepherd
17th December “My servant David will be their king, and they all will have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be scrupulous in obeying my statutes.” (Ezekiel 37:24) Ezekiel was the third of the Four Major Prophets. He was forcibly exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, after the siege of Jerusalem in 597 … Continue reading The Prophet Ezekiel speaks of a royal shepherd
The Prophet Jeremiah speaks of a royal branch
16th December “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous branch from the line of David. He will reign as king and rule wisely and ensure justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5) Jeremiah was the second of the Four Major Prophets and he was born in … Continue reading The Prophet Jeremiah speaks of a royal branch