Jesse Tree – Day 8: Jacob’s Dream

First, I have to say… combining the Jesse Tree with the Advent calendar, complete with chocolates, was probably the best idea that I’ve ever had. Today was a bit hectic and I completely forgot about the Jesse Tree… until my five-year-old reminded me that it was time for the next ornament and chocolate.

So! If you’re wondering how to get your kids excited about the Jesse Tree, combine it with chocolate!

This is what our Advent calendar/ Jesse Tree actually looks like in practice. A bit messy, for sure, but apparently the kids like it!

Anyway! Remember how I said that last time, the next blog is going to get a bit dreamy?

Well, it is! Because today for our Jesse Tree reading, we are delving into Jacob’s life.

And so, here is the ornament for today:

A ladder! Made with gold colors, since it is a ladder that reaches to Heaven, after all. The crochet pattern for this ornament is here, just in case you want to make your own!

So what is the scripture behind this ladder? Good question! Let’s take a closer look at it… along with plenty of religious art to accompany it, because of course you need more religious art in your life! 🙂

Jacob’s Dream

NABRE

Genesis 28

10Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. 11When he came upon a certain place, he stopped there for the night, since the sun had already set. Taking one of the stones at the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place.

Jacob's Dream, by Jusepe de Ribera, c. 1639. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
Jacob’s Dream, by Jusepe de Ribera, c. 1639. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.

NABRE

Genesis 28

12Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it.

Jacob’s Dream, by William Blake, c. 1805. British Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Jacob’s Dream, by William Blake, c. 1805. British Museum, London, United Kingdom.

NABRE

Genesis 28

13And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants.

Jacob’s Dream, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1660. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Jacob’s Dream, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1660. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

NABRE

Genesis 28

14Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and through them you will spread to the west and the east, to the north and the south. In you and your descendants all the families of the earth will find blessing. 15I am with you and will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.

Jacob’s Dream, by Ary de Vois, c. 1660-1680. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Jacob’s Dream, by Ary de Vois, c. 1660-1680. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

NABRE

Genesis 28

16When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Truly, the LORD is in this place and I did not know it!” 17He was afraid and said: “How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!”

Jacob’s Dream, by Aert de Gelder, c. 1710-15. Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
Jacob’s Dream, by Aert de Gelder, c. 1710-15. Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, United Kingdom.

NABRE

Genesis 28

18Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a sacred pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19He named that place Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz.20Jacob then made this vow: “If God will be with me and protect me on this journey I am making and give me food to eat and clothes to wear, 21and I come back safely to my father’s house, the LORD will be my God. 22This stone that I have set up as a sacred pillar will be the house of God. Of everything you give me, I will return a tenth part to you without fail.”

If today is all about dreams, then tomorrow is all about dreamers. One particular dreamer with an awesome coat, to be exact…

Karina Tabone

Karina Tabone is a wife, mother of four, author, blogger, and lover of Christian artwork. She's the author of the Illustrated Rosary series, which pairs every prayer of the Rosary with beautiful religious artwork. She likes also milkshakes, sunshine, and mystery novels. Follow her on Twitter at @illustr_prayer.

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