First Thursday of Advent 2016

Jesse Tree Story: ISAAC
Jesse Tree Symbol: THE ALTAR OF HOLOCAUST

Scripture: "I will bless you and make your descendants
as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the
seashore; your descendants will take possession of the
gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the
nations of the earth will find blessing, because you
obeyed my command.” Genesis 22:17-18

Commentary: Since God saved Isaac from the
sacrificial altar, he was able to carry on God's
promise to Abraham.

Readings of the Day:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

First Wednesday of Advent 2016

~Today is also the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle. Please click on the link to find out more information about this saint.~

Jesse Tress Story: ABRAHAM
Jesse Tree Symbol: A RAM


Scripture: " I will bless you and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing, because you obeyed my command."
Genesis 22:17-18

Commentary: When Abraham was about to sacrifice his own son, God gave him a ram to offer instead. He then promised Abraham that the entire world would be blessed by one of his descendants--Christ. 

Readings for the Day:
Romans 10:9-18
Psalm 19
Matthew 4:18-22

First Tuesday of Advent 2016

Jesse Tree Story: NOAH
Jesse Tree Symbol: THE ARK

Scripture: "'Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves shall he
be to his brothers.' He also said, 'Blessed be the Lord, the
God of Shem! Let Canaan be his slave. May God expand
Japeth, and may he dwell among the tents of Shem; and
let Canaan be his slave!'"
 Genesis 9:25-27

Commentary: The Ark represents the promise of salvation given by God through Noah. It also symbolizes the Church by which we travel tempestuous waters of life.

Readings of the Day:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72
Luke 10: 21-24

First Monday of Advent 2016

Jesse Tree Story: Abel
Jesse Tree Symbol: A Lamb

Scripture: "Yahweh asked Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'
'I do not k now,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's guardian?'
'What have you done?' Yahweh asked. 'Listen!
Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground.
Now be cursed and banned from the ground that has
opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood at your hands.'"

Genesis 4:9-11

Commentary: God chose certain persons to foreshadow something related to Christ or to His Kingdom. Just as the blood of Abel cried out to God, so Christ's blood calls for forgiveness and grace.

Readings for the Day:

Isaiah 4:2-6
Psalm  122
Matthew 8:5-11

1st Sunday of Advent - 2016

Jesse Tree Story: ADAM & EVE
Jesse Tree Symbol: AN EATEN APPLE

Scripture: "I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;
it will bruise your head and you will strike its heel."
Genesis 3:15

Commentary: The first promise of the coming of the Redeemer, Christ, was made to Adam and Eve in Paradise after they disobeyed God.

Readings for the Day:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44

ADVENT 2016

Welcome back to the OLQHS RELIGIOUS INTERACTIVE SITE.

Every Advent, Christmas, Lent & Easter, we come together to walk the journey of the seasons as a school. In this YEAR OF FAITH, please join us on our journey as we discover the deeper meaning of the Liturgical Seasons.

During Advent, we will be building a JESSE TREE. Every day, this site will post a Jesse Tree Symbol that goes with a story from Scripture. There will also be a short commentary about the symbol and scripture. The Liturgical Readings for the Day will also be notated, along with any special Feast Days or traditions. Feel free to use the links at the right of the page to navigate to sites, where you can access the Readings for the Day and other information.

We hope that you and your family have a FAITH-FILLED Advent Season.

WHAT IS A JESSE TREE?

The Jesse Tree

"O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign for all people, standing before the silence of kings, to whom the gentiles offer their prayers.  Come and deliver us."

The Jesse Tree helps us to remember that Advent is a time of waiting for the coming of the Savior.  It is a symbol of life and growth and is expressed through the ancestry of an individual.  The image is not unusual to us since we also speak about our family tree or our roots.

Jesse, whom the tree is named after, was the father of King David.  The tree reminds us of all the people who waited for the coming of the Savior.  We decorate the tree with symbols that remind us of some of the people who waited for the coming of the Savior--the patriarchs and matriarchs (our fathers and mothers in faith), the prophets, and the parents of the Lord.

If you would like to have your own Jesse Tree for your family in your home, please refer to links posted on the sidebar for assistance.