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The ornaments to print out for the Jesse Tree
Understanding the Jesse Tree

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mary, the Mother of Jesus who is God

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The best of all artwork of Mary includes Jesus as the subject in some way because Mary’s life does not make sense without Jesus.  There would be nothing more important for Mary than to be known as the Mother of God, and images are always of tenderness, comfort and care for the infant child, for the adult Jesus at the foot of the cross or for the crucified Jesus on her lap.  When shepherds come to visit, Mary receives them into the manger scene,  shares the new born Jesus with them and listens to their story about all that they heard about this child from the angels.  It says that Mary was amazed and pondered these words in her heart.  As we read about the role of Mary in the birth of Jesus, we hopefully see that what we say of her, we say of all Christians.  We say “yes” to God and do His will in our lives.  We welcome others into our calling with God and share with the world the Christ who has been born in us through faith.  Just as much as we share, we also then listen to what others have to say about how God has worked and called them to respond.  After all this, a faithful disciple then ponders what all this could mean.  The place to store all these experiences is in our hearts for they belong there in our heart since the hearts of faithful disciples belong to God.  As Christmas comes tonight into tomorrow, may we remember the role of Mary in not only giving birth to Christ but sharing Him with the world, reflecting on the happenings around her, and her keeping all the memories in her heart.  For these are the memories she needs to look upon when things get more difficult as He grows up and fulfills His calling as the Messiah.

Mary rejoiced to be a part of God's great plan to save the world from sin. She was happy that God had chosen to bless her with this very special son.  Mary was so full of praise for God that she glorified God with a song of His greatness and goodness to her. Mary was humble and saw God's choosing her to carry the Savior as a very special honor.  At Christmas we can sing songs and reflect on God's goodness, and faithfulness, and plan, just like Mary did.

Talk together as a family about the role of Mary in the life of Jesus and in the life of the Christian.  Explore ways in which one can imitate her discipleship in bringing Christ to the world.  Discuss the challenges and the blessings that Mary may have faced being the Mother of God.