Advent: The Coming of Jesus ChristSample

DEVOTIONAL

Today is the last day of celebrating The Prophets! Let's finish the week strong and talk more about the HOPE we have in Jesus.

The Bible talks a lot about the ancestry of Jesus. His line goes back to Abraham! Genealogies may seem boring, but they are very important. Not only do they provide historicity, but they also provide a family tree. Family trees are essential for getting to know YOU and your family history. And they help us get to know Jesus, too!

The book of Isaiah talks about "a branch...from the stump of Jesse". What in the world is this prophet talking about? He's talking about Jesus' family tree! Jesse is a significant man in the Bible; he was the father of King David! Remember him?

King David was a huge deal in the Old Testament!

"God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'" Acts 13:22

He was a great man who made many mistakes, but God chose him to be king anyway! Isaiah told the people about an even greater king that would be born from this family tree - JESUS! Jesus is the King of Kings. Jesus is the King of HOPE!

But the family tree doesn't end with Jesus...nope, it gets better with Jesus. But guess what?

For those who love and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they get to be added to the family tree! There's no greater joy than knowing you are part of Jesus' family.

ACTIVITY

Part 1: Sit by your Christmas tree. Look at all those branches; there are almost too many to count, but you can try! Isaiah equates these tree branches to all the people in Jesus' family tree. Read Chapter 1, verses 1-17 of the Gospel of Matthew, and reflect on the family members that came before Jesus. There's a lot!

Pretty amazing, right!? When you look at your Christmas tree, you can think about the importance of Jesus' family tree and how He is our righteous branch! How does it feel to have Jesus in your family tree?

Part 2: Family Tree

Now is the time for the artists of the family to shine! Sketch your family tree and go back as far as you can. Talk about your family history - this discussion may be challenging but necessary. When you are done sketching the family tree and adding names, now take a different color pen or marker. Cover every part of the tree with this new color...guess what this new color represents. You got it! THE HOPE OF JESUS. He makes all things new. He breathes life into everything, including our family history. Pray together over your family tree that The Lord would restore and breathe life into your past, present, and future family.

See you tomorrow for our second candle lighting!