Today’s Jesse Tree ornament and story is the fabulous story of God’s power against evil influences, the story of Elijah found in 1 Kings 18: 17-39. It is the story of miracles, of a fire that burned even though the wood, stones and altar were doused with water. And all this because Elijah called on God to overcome the Baal worshippers’ gods.
The new testament Chrismon is crossed keys. The statement reads:
“When Jesus said to Peter ‘I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 16:19), He was referring to the Apostle’s privilege of opening the kingdom [Church] to both Jew and Gentile. The Jews received the Gospel when Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The first Gentiles to accept Christ were those of the household of Cornelius (Acts 10). The keys, therefore, symbolize that all people, regardless of race, will be welcome in Christ’s Church.”
Tomorrow, we light the third candle, traditionally called the joy candle, in the Advent Wreath. It is pink in color. Only one more Sunday occurs before Christmas.
About the Author
