December 2017 - Page 5 of 5 - Catechist's Aide

For the past few years we have adopted the tradition of putting up a Jesse Tree in addition to our Christmas tree. I find that it really helps build a sense of anticipation as we await Christmas Day. Advent doesn’t officially start until Sunday, December 3 this year, but I am going to start my Jesse Tree today on December 1st. I hope you’ll follow along with me with a short reflection each day.

December 01: The Root of Jesse

Traditional Ornament: Tree Stump

Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-9

“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (Isaiah 11: 1)

God always has a plan. He had a plan for Jesse and his son, David, and He has a plan for us. As we wait this Advent season for the coming of the Christ child, we imagine how long God’s people waited for a Savior. It’s hard to wait, and sometimes that’s what God asks us to do, to wait, so that we will be ready when He sets His plan for us in motion.

Advent is a time of joyful anticipation, a period of preparing for the coming of Jesus – the Messiah. We are hopeful as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and we look forward to the second coming of Christ when the Kingdom of God will be permanently established.

The Advent wreath is the traditional and most symbolic devotion of the season. In fact, every part of the wreath is symbolic.

CIRCLE:

The circular shape of the wreath symbolizes God’s eternity with no beginning and no end.

EVERGREENS:

The wreath is made out of evergreens which symbolize the new life of eternal salvation available to us through Christ.

CANDLES:

The candles on the wreath are lit when we say the Advent prayers. The light of the candles symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world.

FOUR:

The wreath has four candles which represent the four Sundays in the Advent season.

PURPLE:
Three of the candles are purple. These are lit during the 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th weeks of Advent. Purple represents prayer, penance, and preparation for the coming of the Lord.

ROSE:
The candle that is lit during the 3^rd week of Advent is pink or rose. The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete (Latin, “rejoice”) Sunday. At this time, it’s appropriate to take a break and rejoice as we recognize that we are past the midway point of the season and the arrival of the infant Jesus is near.

Following are links to prayers to say while lighting the candles on the Advent wreath:

Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles

Family Advent Guide Prepare the Way for the Lord!

Jesse Tree December 1

Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

Archives for December 2017