O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
Many people celebrate Advent by making a Jesse Tree which helps them — by placing symbols on the tree — to reflect upon the Old Testament events that led up to the birth of Jesus. Symbols such as the Sun, the Key of David, Bethlehem, the Root of Jesse, the Star of David, Jacob’s Ladder, Jonah in the Whale, the Temple, a Crown and Sceptre, the Sword of Judith, the Burning Bush, Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar of Holocaust, the Apple, the Paschal Lamb, the Pillar of Fire, and Manna help us to remember how God’s saving hand has been with us throughout the generations and how God fulfilled His promise to His people.
The Root of Jesse is not only a symbol on the Jesse Tree, it is also one of the “O Antiphons” in Advent, the “O Antiphon” assigned to this day, December 19. The flower of Jesse’s stem is another figure of Christ. Isaiah was the one who prophesied that the Savior would be born from the root of Jesse and that He would sit upon the throne of King David.
The celebration of the Promised One approaches. Less than a week from now, we will celebrate Christmas, the Lord’s birth.
The Promised One will come again in glory. We need to be ready for His call. Prepare the Way of the Lord, make straight His path!
FAITH ACTION: Reflect upon the following verse from O Come, O Come Emmanuel:
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
form ev’ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!