Dean Lambert Smith - The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas

The Advent Jesse Tree

The Advent Jesse Tree

Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the CHRIST CHILD at CHRISTMAS

Dean Meador Lambert

Illustrations by Ginger Meador

Abingdon Press Nashville

DEDICATION

To My Family and My ChurchFrom their roots My Love for the Lord has grown.

Copyright 1988 by Dean Meador Lambert

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to Abingdon Press, 201 Eighth Avenue South,

P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202.

ISBN 978-1-4267-1210-4

PACP00710452-03

11 12 13 14 - 6 5 4 3

Manufactured in the United States of America

Credits are on page 96.

Several years ago a womens group in my church decided to create an Advent Jesse Tree for the Christmas season as a fundraising project for missions. We made ornaments to trace the heritage of Jesus Christ, and I was in charge of preparing devotions which coincided with these ornaments.

As I began researching in preparation for this project, I realized that an old idea of a Jesse Tree could make the Advent season become one of the most meaningful times of the year for my children and family. I wanted the Advent Jesse Tree to not only teach about the roots of our Lord but to provide a time when we as a family could prepare our hearts and lives for the birthday of Christ.

When writing the devotions, I remembered a phrase that I once heard: The Old Testament conceals what the New Testament reveals. I realized that this statement could be the purpose of these devotions. What was the Old Testament concealing? How are so many events and people in these sacred Books of the Word tied together? What do they have in common?

The answers to these questions are revealed in the very first chapter of the New Testament, where it is written that a tiny, unpretentious baby was born. The 21st verse says, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. This was the purpose of the Old Testament! God chose a people to bring forth His only Son. Although these chosen people would not understand many of the events God would allow to happen to them, His purpose would finally be revealed when Jesus came to earth.

During the Advent season each year, it is important to remember not only the sentimental story, but the powerful meaning of Christmas. The plan of salvation did not start with the birth of a tiny baby in the lowliest of places. The preincarnate Christ was present before the beginning. The history of the Old Testament sets the stage for this babe born at Christmas who would perform the work of salvation for us on the Cross. This powerful message is what the Advent Jesse Tree seeks to reveal.

Each Christmas my family looks forward to this special time of devotions. From the youngest to the eldest, each child anticipates her turn to open the ornament for the day and hang it on our special Christmas tree. The hustle and bustle the world teaches at Christmas is slowly silenced as the Bible is opened and the story is read. It is exciting to see how the stories and prophecies concealed are slowly revealed to us in new insights gained from the Scriptures. As the family sings the hymns around the piano or softly whispers a prayer in song, we begin eagerly awaiting the birth of the Christ Child.

My prayer is that this devotional book will be just as meaningful to you as it has been to my family. Please share in the power of the Advent season as day by day we eagerly prepare our hearts and lives for the coming Savior.

DEAN M. LAMBERT

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

The word Advent means coming and refers to the coming of Jesus. The Advent Jesse Tree emphasizes His coming in the flesh at Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago. It also explains His coming with the New Covenant and His second coming when He will return to judge all of mankind. The Advent season is a time for all of us to prepare for these comings.

The Advent Jesse Tree seeks to tell the story of Gods redemptive plan for the world through 25 symbols from the Old and New Testament. The symbols trace the heritage of Jesus Christ from the beginning of creation. Each symbol is explained with scriptures, devotions, questions, prayers, a memory verse, and songs. Use the devotions and symbols in this book for your Advent quiet time. You may choose to make ornaments and place them on a small Christmas tree to coincide with this book of symbols.

The first symbol takes us back to Christs preexistence before all of creation. The second and third symbols show the beginning of sin, the need for a Savior, and the covenantal promise of God to redeem us.

Symbols 4 through 9 portray the establishment of this covenant with a chosen people who would be the example of ones blessed by God. Through these chosen people of God, One would come to fulfill the beautiful covenant from God. The symbols of the lamb and the ladder are a prefiguration of Christ and His death on Calvary.

The symbol of Ruth, symbol number 10, shows Gods plan of salvation reaching beyond the Jewish race to include all people who trust in Him. In Matthew, Ruth is listed an ancestress of Christ and brings us as Gentiles into His lineage.

Symbols number 12 and 13 bring us back to the Jewish race with King David and King Josiah. Although many years and many kings passed between these symbols, it is apparent that God never forgot His promise to bring a greater King to the world through the royal lineage of the Jewish nation.

Following Solomons reign as King, the Jewish nation became two countries, Israel and Judah. As a result of many years of disobedience, God sent His people into exile. Just prior to and during the time of exile, prophets arose proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Symbols number 13 through 19 are prophecies foretelling certain characteristics or events concerning the new shoot from the stump of Jesse. The little town of Bethlehem would bring forth a King, Prince of Peace, Shepherd, and Suffering Servant to write a new covenant on the hearts of all who believe in Him.

Symbols number 20 and 21 show clearly the presence of God with His people in exile, in the return, and in all times of suffering. Nearly 400 years would pass before the New Testament would begin with the birth of the Messiah. The Christmas Story begins to unfold with symbols number 22 through 24 and then on Christmas Day, symbol number 25, our Emmanuel comes to bless and to save all who will worship Him at the manger.

The Advent Jesse Tree book is designed for its use alone in a meaningful devotional experience. The symbols in this book beautifully portray the heritage of Christ.