Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10.

Decorations

Put three trees of varying heights on the refreshment table. Place a runner or burlap around the trees. Use wooden rounds as placemats under the snacks and drinks.

Refreshment Ideas

Check Pinterest for recipes for the following suggestions:

• Yule log cake
•  Chocolate fondue with pretzel sticks for dipping
•  Apple cider with cinnamon sticks

Craft

Cookie-cutter seed bomb cards/tags (see website: https://www.backwoodsmama.com/2022/01/heart-shaped-seed-bombs.html):

Needed Materials:

• Air-dry clay (Crayola makes air dry clay that can be purchased at Michael, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann Stores, or on Amazon)
• potting soil
• wildflower seeds
• Christmas cookie cutters

For exact amounts and directions, see the above website.

The finished seed bombs could be used on Christmas cards or as gift tags. The cards can be made using card stock, markers and colored pencils. Include the information that water will break down the capsule when the seed bomb is dispersed into nature, allowing the seeds to germinate and grow—distribute the finished product to Advisory Board Members, the congregation, or troop members.

Service Project Ideas

• Decorate the tree in the corps chapel or social service office. Use this time to also go through the decorations, discarding broken ones.
• Help decorate Christmas trees for corps members or women’s ministry members who are shut-in, unwell, or need extra assistance.
• Decorate small tabletop trees as centerpieces for congregate meals served at the corps, a shelter, or a convalescent home.
• As a group, purchase artificial trees and decorations. Donate them to a local woman’s shelter. Organize a time when they can decorate the tree with the women living at the shelter as a group.
• If the corps uses real Christmas trees or live poinsettias, coordinate a schedule for volunteers to water them and clean up any pine needles that fall.

Competition Games

• Who can string the most popcorn and cranberries in one minute?
• Who can draw the best Christmas tree by putting a paper plate on their head and drawing without looking?
• Who can build the best tree out of Legos^® blocks?

Gift/Prizes

Tie a pair of mittens with ribbon and a cinnamon stick.

Song

“O Christmas Tree.” Check YouTube for a video of this song.

Activity

Print Isaiah 11:1–10 and provide each woman a copy. Ask them to write down some things that impress them about the prophecy of the coming of Jesus. Example: The Spirit of wisdom and understanding will rest on Him. Although this scripture will be challenging to understand for many, they should get a better understanding after listening to the devotional. Consider going back to this scripture again following the devotional and discussing or answering questions regarding “the Stump of Jesse” and fulfilling the prophecy in Jesus.

The Stump of Jesse

During Advent, Christians look forward to celebrating December 25, the birth of Jesus. While Christmas joy peaks at the birth of Jesus, sometimes we forget the Old Testament scripture that prophesizes the virgin birth of Jesus, the Messiah, and the hope that it brings to the world.

In the book of Isaiah, the Prophet describes God’s wrath against human rebellion and sin. He declares that it will be like God taking an axe to the arrogance of human evil, producing a sad scene like a hillside stripped bare of trees (Isa 10:33, 34). And yet also in this book is the beautiful promise that because of His great love for His people, He would send the Messiah to be the Savior, not only for Israel but for us all. This promise is found in Isaiah 9:6, 7. (Ask one of the women to read this scripture.) God has never lost His love for His people. And because of this love, even though we deserve punishment for our sins, there was still hope in the promise of a Messiah.

After all the wrongs listed against the people of Israel, Isaiah shares: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit” (Isa. 11:10). There was still hope for Israelites, God’s special people. God planned to raise a Savior, both tender and powerful, a promise to Israel and all nations. Isaiah declares, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him.” When we look at the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 1, we see that Jesse was the father of King David, who was a descendant of Jesus (verse 1). In writing to the Romans, the apostle Paul made it clear that Jesus was the “root of Jesse.” We read in Romans 15:12, “And once more, Isaiah says: ‘The Root of Jesse will appear. One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him, the Gentiles will put their hope.’” That’s a promise for us. We Gentiles can put our hope in Jesus, the root of Jesse.

This month as we celebrate the fulfillment of that Old Testament prophesy in the birth of Jesus Christ, I pray that you know Him not just as a baby in the manger but as your personal Savior who came so you could have forgiveness of your sins. And as Paul went on to say in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” What a tremendous promise that as we trust in Jesus, the root of Jesse, He brings peace, joy, love, and hope.

Let’s pray.