Day 6: A Ram in the Thicket
Today is St. Nicholas Day!
Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
So he said, “Here I am.”
And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
—From Genesis 22:1–17 (NKJV)
“Perhaps Abraham regretted his choice to follow Sarah’s lead, as Adam no doubt lamented his bite of fruit.”
Reflection
What distractions keep you from the sort of faith that Abraham had? Surely he had expectations for his son and heir, yet he was willing to sacrifice those expectations to see God’s purpose accomplished. Are you willing to sacrifice your expectations for the future on the altar of faith? Take time to reflect on a current trial, longing, expectation, or disappointment in your life that weighs on your spirit. You may have tried many ways to change or achieve or avoid this thing. We all have a tendency to grasp onto our hopes with white-knuckled intensity. We do the same with our fears, clinging to them, because by holding on we (incorrectly) think we can control them. Are you willing to open your hands? Are you willing to let go and let God?
Celebrate Together
Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. Wonder at Abraham’s faith and his willingness to obey, explore the Jesse Tree symbol of a ram in a thicket, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about sacrificing expectations on the altar of faith.
Today’s Jesse Tree Symbol:
A ram reminds us that God will provide a sacrifice.
Inspiration
Sacrifice of Isaac
Giambattista Pittoni, 1687–1767. “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
Music
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear welcomes us to the Advent season. [Play Video]
As you listen to Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence reflect on Christ’s Gift to us. [Play Video]
Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.
Prayer
Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.
St. Augustine (354–430)
Resources
Today is St. Nicholas Day! Find a full St. Nicholas Day Celebration Guide here!
Watch this stunning animation of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
Enjoy a printable coloring page of Abraham and Isaac on the mountain.
Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.
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