Jesse Tree

Second Sunday of Advent – Waiting for Peace

The Jesse Tree

The Tree of Jesse, with its symbols representing stories and events in the Old Testament is the focus this week.

The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of the great Jewish King David. One prophecy in the Bible, in the book of Isaiah, says:

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him– the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD–

3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.

Isaiah 11:1-4 (NIV)

Jesse Tree Reflection

A branch is a sign of new life and new beginnings. Jesus was a descendant of King David and Christians believe that Jesus is this new branch.

The first Jesse trees were large carvings, tapestries or even stained glass windows put in Churches that helped people to learn about the Bible from creation to the Christmas Story. But now Jesse Trees are used as a kind of Advent Calendar. Each day through Advent (or sometimes just on the four Sundays of advent) a special decoration or ornament that tells a story from the Bible, is hung on the tree.

The idea of the Jesse Tree is to show the family of Christ in the form of a tree that springs from Jesse, who was the father of King David. In the portrayal of the descent of Christ from the line of David there may be up to fifty characters portrayed.

The time of waiting for the coming of the Messiah is highlighted. There are many kinds of waiting – at airports, at the dentist, for the end of the school day, for Christmas Day. As Christians we wait in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus into our lives, at Mass, at Christmas. The Old Testament characters can give us courage and hope by their example.

Second Sunday of Advent

Today, as we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent, we are praying for peace.
Our world, our communities and our families long for peace, but the possibility can seem very remote! Maybe that’s why we began Advent by nurturing hope? Praying for peace comes very naturally, but peaceful living can be more of a challenge.
Isiah confers the following titles on the Child Jesus
Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.” (Is. 9: 6)
These titles tell us something about what the dominion or Reign of this God-child is like – it is a peaceful reign. By showing us how to live in right relationship with ourselves, with each other, with God, and with the whole of God’s creation, Jesus is seen to be a peacemaker.
The Reign of God is not just a future event for which we simply wait. In celebrating Christmas we will remember that the Reign of God is already present and active among us. God invites us to participate in its unfolding until, in the fullness of time, God brings it to completion. We don’t just wish for a peaceful world, peaceful communities and peaceful families – we are called to live in a way that brings these things into being. It is a way of making the kingdom of justice, love and peace announced by the Prince of Peace manifest in the world.
How can we be peacemakers and witnesses God’s reign in the world today? Blessed Paul VI said “If you want peace, work for justice.” So many participants in wars and in acts of terror see themselves as working for justice, but Jesus chose the path of non-violence. He overcame violence by refusing to engage in it. If we follow this path, we too must be prepared to suffer rather than inflict suffering. The peace that we pray for requires courage and steadfast faith.

Let us pray in this second week of Advent for the wisdom and courage to be peacemakers.

Advent Prayer for Peace

Jesus, Prince of Peace,
banish from our souls
whatever might endanger peace.

Transform us into witnesses
of truth, justice and love.

Enlighten the minds of rulers
that they may care for their peoples
and guarantee them the gift of peace.

Inflame our desires
to break through the barriers that divide us,
to strengthen the bonds of mutual love,
to learn to understand one another,
to pardon those who have done us wrong.

Jesus, Prince of Peace,
through your power and inspiration,
may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts
as sisters and brothers.
And may the peace they long for
ever flower and ever reign among them.

AMEN

Advent is a time to think of others

Times are difficult for everyone at the moment particularly the most vulnerable people in our community. This week perhaps we can help support Ireland’s largest voluntary charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul . They alleviate the effects of poverty on individuals and families.