Bearing Fruit From the Old Root

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—

     yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. Isaiah 11:1

The gnarly, knotted olive tree must have been at least 100 years old, planted by the grandfather of the two sons who built our house in the ancient walled city. Evidently, at one time, its main trunk was chopped off, leaving a stubby stump still joined at the base of the tree. From a side branch grew a now-thriving tree that towered over the wall and hung heavy with olives at harvest time. During our first spring in the house, strong, green shoots began to appear in abundance from the old stump.

The principle was not lost on me.

God brings life out of chopped-down, stubby stumps, family trees laid low.

And as I stared in wonder at the new shoots, the thought occurred to me,

No matter how old your stump is, new life is possible.

Life—incorrigible, stubborn, tenacious life, is stronger than death.

This is the summation of the Gospel, right here in a stump grown green with tender shoots reaching for the light.

This is the glory of Christmas.

Hope, glorious hope, pushes through the splintery deadness and surges onward and upward, insisting on renewal!

Behold, I am doing something new! she sings, as she crowns the stump with a garland of green.

There is hope for your chopped-down places this Christmas, dear friend.

For out of the stump of Jesse, the fallen family of David the king, has sprung a new Branch, bearing fruit from the old root. His name is Christ the Lord, and He has come to save us.

There is #hope for family trees laid low. The promised Messiah, the new Branch has come to bear fruit from the old root! #Christmas Share on X

Glorious hope!

Thank You, Branch of Jesse, for coming at Christmas. Thank You for bringing life out of death. Amen.

@audreycfrank

Image by Jürgen from Pixabay