Sunday Writing... 12-02-18... FAMILY TREE

Good morning!

We have now started the season of Advent, the time of waiting for Christmas.  Trees hold a special meaning at this time of year.  Today's devotional speaks of our "FAMILY TREE" and how that relates to Christmas.  Do you know the names of any distant ancestors in your family tree?  See if you recognize the one in today's writing as your relative.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"FAMILY TREE"

by

Jan Andersen

We all have them - relatives. A family tree diagrams our relatives and how they are connected to us, and traces them back through the generations. Numerous websites now help people search for their ancestors and who they are related to by birth or by marriage, etc. People get excited when they find out they are related to some famous person, royalty, or historical figure. Sometimes there is a hope that they will find a rich relative from whom they might inherit a fortune. There are some who would like to prune out a few branches, or even chop down the whole tree and start over, especially as we approach Christmas when many families get together.

Jesus has a family tree. His is referred to as the tree of Jesse, a depiction in art of Christ's ancestors beginning with Jesse, the father of King David. It is considered the original family tree used to depict a genealogy. Jesus is called a branch from the stump of Jesse, and also the Root of Jesse in the Bible, both meaning a descendant of Jesse. Calling Jesus the "root" can also remind us that Jesus has been present from the beginning of creation, too.  Isaiah 11:1 says, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." Isaiah goes on to say that the branch [Jesus] will come again to judge the people on earth, and there will be peace among animals, both prey and predators, and man. Verse 10 says, "In that day the Root of Jesse [Jesus] will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious." Paul refers to these verses when he writes in Romans 15:12 "Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.' "  

God chose the Jewish people first, and they were to bring the good news of God to the Gentiles, the rest of the world. This is the good news - that God has adopted us all into his family as his sons and daughters. He has grafted us into the tree of Jesse and made us a part of the divine family tree! Because of that, all who believe and remain faithful will inherit the most precious fortune of all - eternal life in heaven with Him. Even if we have a broken, dysfunctional family here on earth, we can take comfort in being part of God's family.  What joy this can bring!

Dear Father in heaven, as we prepare for Christmas in this Advent season, may we be filled with all joy and peace as we trust in your Son, Jesus, and overflow with hope by the power of your Spirit. May our joy, peace and hope in the Christ child bring light in this dark world so that your family tree may continue to grow. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Song:

ROOT OF JESSE

Greg Schmidt

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God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  Ephesians 1:5

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you

 by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff

 of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
 Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,  

Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.