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Day four activities If you have an Advent Wreath - here is a short reading and ceremony before lighting your candle today. Matthew Ch5 v14: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In this verse we are reminded by Jesus that those who believe in Him are also the Light of the world. It is part of being a Christian and as we light our candle we are reminded that a small flames such as that on a candle can not be hidden just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Prayer: Dear Lord we thank you that in this Advent season, the weather has been seasonal too, we thank you for the frost and the sunshine that helps renew the earth, we thank you for all the good things we have in life and we remember those who have little or nothing. As we light our candle we ask that You would help us be the Light of the World to all we meet that as we see You in the image and reality of the flame others we see You in Us and be drawn to You this Christmas time. Amen. The Nativity Story brought up to date! One of the things that comes to mind each year as we think about the Christmas and the Holy family is the fact that they were homeless. Mary and Joseph had been compelled to go to Bethlehem to register in a census ordered by the Romans. Mary was due to give birth and after looking for accommodation all they could find was a stable and it was there that she gave birth. The poster from the Churches advertising network brings a new poignancy and meaning to the Christmas story by bringing up to date by using a bus shelter. The painting is by Royal Academy Gold medal winner, Andrew Gadd. The oil painting is on canvas and depicts the holy family, with halos, in a dark bus shelter. The shepherds and wise men are replaced with fellow passengers waiting for a bus. Some are watching the nativity intently; others appear oblivious and are checking the bus timetable and flagging down a bus. The bus stop when simplified is like a stable. It is after all a shelter; a place people go to but never want to be. So where better to stage a nativity? How unlikely! The image reflects the environment it will be shown in, and therefore includes the viewer. Which is what it is all about." Learn about a Jesse Tree A Jesse tree is a decorated tree put up during Advent, tracing the line of the Messiah - Jesus - in the Old Testament. There was an old custom in Europe and early America where symbolic ornaments were hung on a tree during the Advent period up to Christmas. These decorations represented Old Testament from the creation right up to the birth of Jesus, in particular the prophecies that foretold the coming Messiah. The Jesse tree was decorated each day or week of Advent, traditionally with ornaments hand made by children and their parents. Its name comes from Isaiah Chapter 11 v1. “Out of the stump of the line of Jesse (David’s Father) will grow a shoot — a new branch bearing fruit from the old root”. The Jesse Tree is a way to help children and adults get a better understanding of what and why we are celebrating. Jesse was the father of King David. As we saw earlier the concept of the Jesse Tree comes from Isaiah 11:1-9, where God promises a discouraged nation that the glory they remember from David’s time will come again. They will have another king from Jesse’s family, in whose reign the whole earth will know God. As a Christian, we see that promise fulfilled in Jesus, and so we use a Jesse Tree and decorate it with reminders of how God prepared the world for that kingdom. So What is a Jesse Tree? Starting on December 1st with an empty banner or tree, a reminder ornament is hung each day until Christmas Day when the Christ child in the manger and star are placed at the top. A Bible verse is read, and the story reviewed. These devotions allow time every day for sharing with your children, or meditating with God's Word on your own. There is evidence for the concept of a Jesse tree from as early as the twelfth century, in the remains of stained-glass windows. Such trees are the most common glass designs found from this era, and they remained popular until the sixteenth century. In the last half-century they have risen in popularity again, as a means of rediscovering the historical message of Christmas. Above there is a stained Glass window with a Jessee Tree shown as well as a picture of a hand made Jessee Tree. There are now many guidelines around for making a Jesse tree, Click here for a website that will help you make a Jesse Tree. Learn about a Jesse Tree and how to make one. Opens in a new window This is a page of black and white images to colour in, There are also Bible readings to go with the Images. You can use the paint programme to colour in the pictures and paste them onto card and hang them on your Tree. - Right click to download to your computer. To show the images you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, Click on the button to download the latest version of the plug-in if you require it! Help the shepherds through the maze to find the sheep and the baby in the manger. Right click to download the picture.