Catholic Activity: Jesse Tree, Day 20 — St. Joseph
Symbols: Carpenter Tools—Carpenter's Square, hammer, saw
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21)
Jesus' earthly father was St. Joseph, the Carpenter. He was part of the line of King David, as the prophecy of Isaiah had said, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1).
DIRECTIONS
Recommended Scripture Readings:
- Matthew 1:1-17: Genealogy of Jesus
- Matthew 1:18-24: Birth of Jesus, the Angel appears in a dream to St. Joseph
- Luke 2:22-38: Presentation in the Temple
- Matthew 2:13-15: The Flight into Egypt
- Matthew 2:19-23: The Return from Egypt
- Luke 2:41-52: Finding in the Temple
Selections from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
- CCC 437 Birth of Christ
- CCC 488 Mary's predestination
- CCC 496-501 Mary's virginity
- CCC 522-534 The preparations of the Messiah
- CCC 583 Jesus and the Temple
- CCC 1014 Patron of Happy Death
Jesse Tree Overview
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Printable PDF Jesse Tree guide: The Jesse Tree: Advent 2023
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2023 by Jennifer Gregory Miller
