Locations
Families can follow along using the Jesus Storybook Bible on page 144 – “Operation No More Tears.”
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:1-2)
Tonight, we stand on the threshold of Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, yet the prophecy that announced His coming begins with an image of failure and decay: the "stump of Jesse."
Jesse was the father of King David. By the time Jesus was born, David's royal line had been cut down. The throne was gone, the glory was lost, and the family was reduced to being humble carpenters and laborers in a forgotten town called Nazareth. The tree of kings had fallen.
But here is the breathtaking miracle of Christmas Eve: God doesn't need glory, wealth, or power to work. He chooses the stump, the barren, and the forgotten place to bring forth the most beautiful "shoot." Jesus, the Messiah, was born into this obscurity, demonstrating that God's greatest works often start in the quietest, most unexpected places.
As we gather tonight, many of us carry the weight of a difficult year. Perhaps the "stump" in your life represents hopes that have been cut down, promises that were broken, or a spirit that feels depleted and dry. The noise and lights of Christmas can sometimes make the inner darkness feel even deeper.
The prophecy of Isaiah 11 reminds us that the coming of Christ is about renewal, not replacement. The stump wasn't thrown away; it became the anchor for the new life. This Christmas Eve, remember that the Holy Spirit, which rested perfectly on the infant King—the Spirit of wisdom and might—is a gift to you. No matter how cut down you feel, God is ready to grow new life, new hope, and new purpose right out of your most barren ground. The Christmas message is that even in the dead of winter, God can grow a King.
Gather around your Christmas tree or a small nativity scene. Have one person hold a small branch or twig. This Christmas, may we look past the tinsel and presents and find the quiet miracle of the Shoot—Jesus, our perfect King, who brings wisdom, peace, and new life to the world.
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus, the promised shoot from the stump of Jesse. When life feels hard, help us remember that You bring new hope. Help us see Jesus in the small and quiet moments this Christmas. Thank You for new life, new beginnings, and the gift of Your Son. Amen.
