Jesse Tree Ornament - The Natal Star

"When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." Matthew 2:9 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting a natal star symbol for your Jesse tree.

       The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew, where "wise men from the East" (Magi) are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem.There they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, to the south of Jerusalem. The star leads them to Jesus' home in the town, where they worship him and give him gifts. The wise men are then given a divine warning not to return to Herod so they return home by a different route.

       Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign to mark the birth of the Christ (or Messiah). Some theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy. Astronomers have made several attempts to link the star to unusual astronomical events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, a comet or a supernova.

       The subject is a favorite at planetarium shows during the Christmas season, although the Biblical account describes Jesus with a broader Greek word, which can mean either "infant" or "child" (paidon), rather than the more specific word for infant (brephos), possibly implying that some time has passed since the birth. The visit is traditionally celebrated on Epiphany (January 6) in Western Christianity.

       Natal stars, whether they have four points or eight are generally used to reference the star that directed the wise men to see baby Jesus. There are three reasons behind this selection.

1.  The first being that the shorter arms of the horizontal points and the longer arm of the lowest point configure a cross shape. This shape serves as a reminder of Christ's death on a cross. 
2. The second reason being the association with the wise men or three kings to astrology. They used the star of Bethlehem to guide them to the baby's location. Astrology charts, compasses and other items used by those who study the stars often depict natal stars.
3.  And the third reason, the term natal means something relating to the place or time of a person's birth.

A color suggestion for painting the natal star symbol.

A sample of the natal star made with baker's clay.

• Return to The Jesse Tree Index
• This manger scherenscnitte pattern includes a star of David 
• Craft a yarn wrapped star
• "Away In a Manger" poem and music

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Candle

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting the candle symbol for your Jesse tree.

A color suggestion for painting the candle symbol.

      Light frequently signifies instruction both by doctrine and example; "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 and "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." John 5:35 or persons considered as giving light, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;" Matthew 5:14 and "And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness," Romans 2:19. It is applied in the highest sense to Christ, the true light,the Sun of Righteousness, who is that in the spiritual, which the material light is in the natural world; who is the great Author, not only of illumination and knowledge, but of spiritual life, health, and joy to the souls of men.

A baker's clay example of the candle symbol.

• Return to The Jesse Tree Index
• Craft a Paper Mache Chrismon Candle
• Collage a candle to remember The Light of The World
• Christmas Candle Clip Art
• Lamp Symbolism for Chrismons
• Candles and Light Clip Art

Jesse Tree Ornament - the Ark

"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Genesis 6:5-8 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting an ark symbol for your Jesse tree.

The term thebeth, Hebrew for Ark, used by Moses is different from the common name by which he describes a coffer; and is the same that he employs when speaking of the little wicker basket in which he was exposed on the Nile; whence some have thought that the ark was of wicker-work. However, for those who believe in God's preservation through storms and trauma, the comparison made by Moses between the Ark of Noah and his wicker basket has much more to do with salvation by the grace of God. The ship or ark and his floating basket both provided protection and preservation of God's people:

 "And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it." Exodus 2:5 (KJB)

• Commentaries about Israel's deliverer, Moses. (Moses is in the line of David, hence an ancestor of Jesus.)

A color suggestion for painting the ark symbol.

       The ark is the oldest symbol used for the church as a ship in the scriptures. It is important to understand, however, that symbolic imagery is also quite literal throughout the scripture. Not only does it stand for ideas, it also is a part of literal narrative.  In other words, there was indeed an ark that preserved God's family from annihilation and the ark on the Jesse tree also represents this repetitive promise made by God throughout all of scripture, to preserve his literal family, root of Jesse, and all who are spiritually adopted into his family, the church.

"The image of the Church as a ship was one that naturally grew out of the idea of the Ark, and also was doubtless associated in the Apostles' minds with the ship which so frequently contained Him when He spoke with the multitudes. Its appearance in the catacombs, on gems and in mosaics, is very common. Its distinguishing mark is usually a cross above the mast, (in later depictions of the church as a ship) or the Holy Dove hovering over it. (The dove was used by God to bring hope of renewal to Noah after the flood. Genesis 8:11)" Jenner

A baker's clay symbol of the ark symbol.

• Return To The Jesse Tree Index

First Week During Advent: Holly Set

First Sunday During Advent. "During the reign of King Herod of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly
order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her
name was Elizabeth." Luke 1:5

Description of the illustration: 10 scriptures decorated with holly and illuminated letters for the first week of Advent, white backgrounds, all scriptures are from the International Standard Version

The First Weeks Scripture, "A shoot will come out from
 the stump of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit from his roots." Isaiah 11:1

Sunday scripture, "Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign.
Watch! The virgin is conceiving a child, and will give birth to a son
and his name will be called Immanuel."  Isaiah 7:14.

Sunday scripture, "As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
 even though you remain least among the clans of Judah,
 nevertheless, the one who rules in Israel for me will emerge from you.
His existence has been from antiquity, even from eternity." Micah 5:2.

Monday Advent readings in the first week,  "Now in the sixth month of her pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!' Startled by his statement, she tried to figure out what his greeting meant. Then the angel told her, 'Stop being afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:26-33.

Tuesday Advent reading during the first week,  "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened in this way. When his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they lived together she was discovered to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to disgrace her, decided to divorce her secretly. After he had thought about it, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," he said, "don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he is the one who will save his people from their sins." Now all this happened to fulfill what was declared by the Lord through the prophet when he said, "See, a virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanueel," which means, "God with us." When Joseph got up from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary as his wife." Matthew 1: 18-24.

Wednesday Advent reading for the first week, "While they were there,
the time came for her to have her baby, and she gave birth to her first child,
a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough,
because there was no place for them in the guest quarters." Luke 2:6-7.

Thursday Advent reading for the first week, "In that region there
were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night.
 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were terrified." Luke 2: 8-9.

Friday Advent reading for the first week, "Then the angel told them,
 "Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of
 great joy for all the people. Today your Savior, the Lord Messiah, was
 born in the City of David. and this will be a sign for you: You will
find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough." Luke 2: 10-12.

Saturday Advent reading for the first week, "Suddenly, a multitude
of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people
who enjoy his favor!" Luke 2:13-14.

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Holly and bell frame in black and white

Description of the illustration: black and white frame, holly and berries, bells, Christmas

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Annunciations of Jesus and Virgin's Visit With St. Elizabeth: Holly and Bell

Description of the illustration: Christmas bell, Advent bell, holly trim for a bell, red ribbon, scripture from The Gospel of Luke, transparent background

"Later on, Mary set out for a Judean city in the hill country. she went into Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting , the baby jumped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she loudly exclaimed, 'How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. How blessed is this woman for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled!" Then Mary said, "My soul praises the greatness the greatness of the Lord! My spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on his humble servant. From now on, all generations will call be blessed, because the Almighty has done great things for me. His name is holy. His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. He displayed his mighty power with his arm. He scattered people who were proud in mind and heart. He pulled powerful rulers from their thrones and lifted up humble people. He filled hungry people with good things and sent rich people away with nothing. He helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, according to the promise he made to our ancestors -  to Abraham and his descendants forever." Now Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home." Luke 1:39-56

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Heart banners for Valentine projects

Description of the illustration: heart or Valentine designed banners, transparent backgrounds, four different color combinations

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Parading figures for Mardi Gras

Description of the illustration: two little black and white banners for Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, parade, costumes, dance

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Bird of Paradise Banners

Description of the illustration:  bird of paradise motif banners, five versions in the following color combinations: ivory and grey, blue and green, orange and gold, plum and black, and burgundy and pink

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"GENESIS" carved

 

Description of the illustration: stone work carving of the title "Genesis" book of the Old Testament carved in relief, illustrating stories from Genesis. greyscale

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Why Should We Believe the Scriptures?

       Some people answer this query by saying that the reason is found in the fact that the Bible is the only book handed down to us through the ages. That is not the best answer. Some ancient writings, like the Vedas, for instance, are almost as ancient as the Bible. And many tablets and monuments are in existence containing words written as long ago as the writings of the Scriptures. There are many powerful arguments for the Bible, but the greatest is that every person who will really study it finds that it does tell the truth about the human soul. When a man reads in an arithmetic that two and two make four, he does not stop to ask himself why he should believe the arithmetic. He knows instinctively and intuitively that the arithmetic is telling him the truth. So when an honest man studies the Bible he finds it full of truths about himself. The Bible tells him he is a sinner, and he knows that is true. The Bible tells him about God, and he finds in his heart a deep conviction that just such a God exists. The Bible offers forgiveness, and the man knows he needs it. Step by step, and point by point, the Bible shows the man what he is and what he needs and points the way to finding the fulfillment of his needs and desires. People find in the Bible help for bearing their trials, power to resist temptation, assurance of immortality and friendship with God. A man who never saw the Bible before, when he reads of God in it, realizes that he always needed and longed for God, but did not know how to find him till the Bible showed him the way. Particularly does it show him how to find God in Christ. That, after all, is the supreme mission of the Bible - to lead men to Christ. 

       But, again, taking the Bible as literature, we find that it hangs together, that it bears within itself the evidence that it is true. Start with the writings of Paul. Here is a level-headed, highly educated, practical man who has left to the world's literature certain letters to groups of friends. These letters tell about Paul's personal knowledge of Christ, his personal friendship for him, his personal endeavors to forward the work of Christ which he had formerly antagonized until Christ himself appeared to him and set him right. Paul tells of becoming acquainted later with men who had known Christ in the flesh - Peter, James, John and others. We find that these men also wrote about Jesus, John writing three letters and a narrative of his life; Peter writing two letters, and apparently giving much of the information to his nephew Mark, who wrote another version of the life of Jesus. Luke, another friend of Paul, and probably also a personal friend of Jesus, wrote another version of his life and wrote the history of what his apostles did through his power after he had risen from the dead and gone back to the heavenly world. These were all good, honest, intelligent men. We may believe what they wrote about Christ and his salvation, just as we believe what Caesar wrote about the Gallic Wars. Further, we find that Christ came from a people whose history is recorded in the books of the Bible and whose prophets uttered messages from God. Peter connects the messages of the prophets with those of himself and the other apostles in II Peter 3:2: "That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of our Lord and Savior." The Bible holds together about the person of Christ as the great divine-human document which reveals him to the world. 

More About Why We Should Believe and Spread Holy Scriptures:

• Why We Believe the Bible is God's Word
• Why We Believe the Bible Is True
• All Christians are commissioned to witness to God's love by our lives by Jennifer
• The Great Commission Means Sharing Christ's Story, Not Yours
• Growing in the Theological Virtues - the Witness of Hope (Joy, Fortitude, Perseverance and Love)
• The What and Why of the Great Commission

Does the Bible Teach Science?

        It is not a scientific textbook, nor was it written to teach science, but religion. The discrepancies between the story of creation as given in the Bible and that given by the scientists are very much such as we should find in two descriptions of a great battle, if one of them was written by a clergyman who knew nothing of military tactics, and the other by a military expert who knew nothing of religion. The important fact for us - the fact that is of more momentous interest than all the discoveries of science - is that God made the universe. For this knowledge we are not indebted to science, which has not yet attained it, but we do get it from the Bible. A person who wants to know the latest discoveries of science as to geology and astronomy, should study the recent books of science; but if he wants to know the way to God and eternal happiness, he should go to the Bible. Each has its own sphere.

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

Explore Interesting Thoughts About Science & Religion:

• The Center for Science & Culture and The Discovery Institute and Defending Intelligent Design interview with Phillip Johnson by NOVA  and Science Proves Intelligent Design (Genetic codes are specific and are not chosen through random selection!)
• Darwin's Black Box from TalkOrigins Archive
• The Marriage of Science and Religion by Holmes Rolston III and The marriage of Science and Religion
• Mathematics, the Handmaiden of Theology: Augustine and Cantor on the Infinity of God 
• Is Carbon Dating Accurate? and How accurate are Carbon-14 and other radioactive dating methods?  and Is Carbon Dating Reliable?
• Understand Hebrew translations for the concepts of time in scripture.  
• Christian parents can go and read here about teaching scientific theory to young children.

Can We Find Any Reference to Christ in Contemporaneous Secular Writers?

       Yes. There are references to Christ in connection with Christians, by several historians. Tacitus, who was praetor under Domitian in A. D. 88, only fifty-eight years after the Crucifixion, refers to Christ (Annal XV :44) . Pliny the younger, who was tribune in Syria about the same time, also refers to him (Epistle X:97). There are also references in Lucian, who lived about the middle of the second century. He states explicitly the fact of Christ having been crucified. Suetonius and Eusebius also refer to Christ. Besides these evidences, there was the persecution of the Christians under Nero, which is recorded by all historians. Nero died A. D. 68, only thirty-eight years after the Crucifixion. It is therefore clear that there were many Christians before that time. How could the sect have come into existence without a founder? If you saw an oak growing in a place where there was no tree fifty years before, you would suspect that some one had planted an acorn there, and if four men told you how, when and by whom it was planted, you would be prepared to believe them. So there is good reason for believing the Gospel narratives, when you read in secular history of the existence of the Christian Church fifty years after the Crucifixion. Their stories are a credible explanation of a well-established fact. 

More Eyewitnesses Outside The Faith:

• Is There Any Evidence For Jesus Outside The Bible? 
• Is There Any Evidence that Jesus Existed?
• The Oldest Secular Accounts & Historical Evidence On The Existence Of Jesus Of Nazareth
  

What Are the Proofs of Bible Authenticity?

       "Can we prove the authenticity of the Bible by outside evidence ?" is a frequent question. The authenticity of the Bible is being proved by the old records on monuments, by tablets recently deciphered, and by discoveries in Bible lands. That is if by authenticity you mean its historical truth. As to inspiration, the best evidence is its effects. The man who loves the Bible and tries to conduct his life according to its precepts is a better man for the effort. The Bible-reading nation advances in the best line of civilization, caring for its poor and afflicted, and becoming in all ways better. Another evidence of its being inspired is the revelation it gives a man of himself, holding a mirror to his gaze by which he recognizes himself. Another evidence is its survival. No book was ever more violently attacked, no book was ever more misused, yet it has outlived the attacks of foes and the faults of friends and is read today more widely than ever. These are a few of the reasons for believing it came from God. 

More About the Bible's Authenticity:

• Compelling Evidence of the Authenticity of the Bible
• Evidentiary Support for the Authenticity of Scripture
• Inspiration of the Bible

Remaining Faithful

"So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."
 1 Peter 4:19 and "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals..."
 Revelation 5:9

Description of the illustration: cathedral, light through a window, scriptures about remaining faithful to God, blue monochromatic designs

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God
 you may receive what is promised." Hebrews 10:36 and 'For whoever
does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:35

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when
 he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God
 has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 and "perseverance,
 character; and character, hope." Romans 5:4

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The Raising of Lazarus

"Then Jesus shouted, 'Lazarus, come out!' And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in gravecloths, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, 'Unwrap him and let him go!'" John 11: 43-44 (NLT)

Description of the illustration: copy of a Giotto, full color, mourners, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, grave, tomb

       The Raising of Lazarus or the Resurrection of Lazarus, recounted only in the Gospel of John (John 11:1–44), is a miracle of Jesus in which Jesus brings Lazarus of Bethany back to life four days after his burial. In John, this is the last of the miracles that Jesus performs before the Passion and his own resurrection.

      Jesus then delays his departure two days. The disciples are afraid of returning to Judea, but Jesus says: "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him." when the apostles misunderstand, he clarifies, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe."
       When they arrive in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. Before they enter the town, Martha, Lazarus' sister, comes to meet Jesus and tells him: "if you had been here, my brother would not have died". Jesus assures Martha that her brother will rise again and states: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
       Martha's affirmation that she does indeed believe, "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world", is only the second time (after Nathanael) that someone declares Jesus as Son of God and the first time someone equates him as 'Messiah' and 'Son of God' together. The only other time this happens in the entire gospel is in the explanation the author of the Gospel gives for writing his Gospel at the very end.
       Upon entering the village, Jesus is met by Mary and the people who have come to console her. Upon seeing their grief and weeping, Jesus is deeply moved. Then, after asking where he was buried, the shortest verse in the four Gospels, and the entire Bible is found - Jesus wept. After that, Jesus asks for the stone of the grave to be removed, but Martha interjects that there will be a smell. To which Jesus responds, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
       So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
       When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
       The miracle of the raising of Lazarus is the climax of John's "signs". It explains the crowds seeking Jesus on Palm Sunday, and leads directly to the decision of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin to plan to kill Jesus. Theologians Moloney and Harrington view the raising of Lazarus as a "pivotal miracle" which starts the chain of events that leads to the Crucifixion of Jesus. They consider it as a "resurrection that will lead to death", in that the raising of Lazarus will lead to the death of Jesus, the Son of God, in Jerusalem which will reveal the Glory of God.
       Lazarus is mentioned again in the Gospel of John chapter 12. Six days before the Passover on which Jesus is crucified, Jesus returns to Bethany and Lazarus attends a supper that Martha, his sister, serves. Jesus and Lazarus together attract the attention of many Jews and the narrator states that the chief priests consider having Lazarus put to death because so many people have come to believe in Jesus on account of his raising Lazarus.

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What Is Higher Criticism?

       The ordinary study or criticism is directed to finding out the meaning of the passages, their correct translation and their significance and bearing on doctrines. The higher critics go above and back of all that, applying to the books of the Bible the same tests and methods of examination as are applied to other ancient books. They try to find out who were really the authors of the books and when they were written and whether any changes have been made in them since they were written. This latter question they try to solve by a close examination of the text. When they find, for example, such an expression as "There was no king in Israel in those days" (Judges 17:6), they conclude that that sentence was inserted as explanatory, by some one who edited the book after the contemporaneous historian had finished it. Or to take an example of a different kind: There is a statement in Psalm 51:16 that God desires not sacrifice, while in the nineteenth verse it is said that he will be pleased with sacrifice. The explanation the higher critics give is that probably the latter verse was added later, by some priest who did not wish the people to cease bringing sacrifices. The best scholars of the present day believe that many of the conclusions reached by the higher critics are erroneous, and that others are mere guesses for which there is not sufficient evidence.

More About Interpreting Scripture:

• Interpret Scripture Accurately
• Six Principles for Interpreting Scripture
• One Bible, Many Interpretations

"The Measure of A Man" by 4Him

Inspiration of the Bible?

       The question is asked, "How can I know that the Bible is inspired?" Even in this late day, when the number of Christians has multiplied from a mere handful to four hundred and seventy millions, or fully one-fourth of the entire population of the globe, there are people who doubt the inspiration of the Bible. At different times during the last twenty centuries assaults have been made against the Sacred Book, which Gladstone termed the "Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture," but without avail. It has a firmer hold on the hearts of men than in any previous age. Mr. Moody, the greatest of American evangelists, was once asked whether he regarded the Bible as inspired, and his answer was brief and to the point: "I know the Bible is inspired," he said, "because it inspires me!" There are countless thousands who will echo this answer and whose lives have been transformed by the same inspiration. Not only the great religious scholars, but the masters of secular literature regard the Bible as unapproachable in its high standard of expression, its magnificent imagery, the transcendent nobility of its rhetoric, the authority with which it appeals to the hearts of men, the universality of its application and the power it exercises over the souls of men. It bears within itself the evidence of inspiration, and wherever it is known and read and its precepts followed, its influence is uplifting and inspiring. The theory of inspiration does not exclude, but rather implies, human agency, however. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." II Peter 1:21. 

More About the Inspiration of the Bible:

• The Bible: The Inspired Revelation of God
• The Inspiration of Scripture by James W. Scott
• The Inspiration and Inerrancy of The Bible

Who Wrote the Various Books in the Bible?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (ESV)

 

The remaining books of the Old Testament, not included in the listing below, were written by the prophets whose names they bear, with the probable exception of Jonah.

1. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - Moses (scholarly opinions differ here, but so far no thoroughly convincing arguments have been advanced to disprove the Mosaic authorship of large portions of these books)
2. Joshua - Joshua (also ascribed to Phineas, Eleazar, Samuel and Jeremiah)
3. Judges - ascribed by Jewish tradition to Samuel; 
4. Ruth - unknown
5. I and II Samuel - unknown (probably the work of Samuel, Nathan and others)
6. I and II Kings - unknown
7. I and II Chronicles - probably Ezra
8. Ezra - probably Ezra
9. Nehemiah - Nehemiah
10. Esther - probably Mordecai, or Ezra
11. Job - uncertain (has been attributed to Moses, or Job)
12. the Psalms - David, Moses, and others; 
13. Proverbs - Solomon and others;
    Ecclesiastes - formerly ascribed to Solomon, now thought by many to belong to a later period 
14. Song of Solomon - Solomon 
15. Isaiah - Isaiah 
16. Jeremiah - Jeremiah
17. Lamentations - Jeremiah
18. Matthew - Matthew
19. Mark - Mark
20. Luke -Luke
21. John - John
22. Acts - Luke
23. Romans to Philemon - Paul
24. Hebrews - unknown (has been ascribed to Paul, Luke, Apollos, Barnabas)
25. James - James
    I and II Peter - Peter
26. I, II and III John - John
27. Revelation - John 

More About the Authors of The Bible:

• Who Wrote The Bible?
• Who Wrote The Bible? by gotquestions.org

Birthday Clip Art Index

Birthday clip art samples from our collection below.

• More food related clip art under the Church clip art index  
• More Birthday posts from The Doll Coloring Book Blog 
  

All graphics/illustrations/clip art on this web journal are free to download and use for personal art projects, church related hard copy or webpages. Images are not to be redistributed in any other collections of clip art online. Please include a link back to this web journal if you use the materials for web articles. Link to htpp://christianclipartreview.blogspot.com

1. A Gift for You - comes with a transparent background
2. The Birthday Cake
3. Birthday Bear - for a child's party or baby shower
4. The children's birthday party - vintage photo of children's party
5. Birthday Announcements for Congregations 
6. Psalm 118:24 Birthday Theme
7. For your sweet tooth - black and white illustrations  
8. It's Your Birthday!
9. Little Twinkie Cake
10. Send a Vintage Salute for A Soldier's Birthday!  
11. Birthday Girl Crown
    

Page last updated November 7th, 2021.

Psalm 118:24 Birthday Theme

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Description of the illustration: birthday cake, birthday candles, blowing out the candles, little girl, photograph

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Birthday Announcements for Congregations

"Have your cake!" "...and eat it too!"

Description of the illustration: costume party, white powdered wigs, deserts, cookies, birthday announcements for church web pages, email, newsletters etc..., vintage photograph, speech bubbles
 

"Birthdays this month." "How delightful!"

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A Gift for You

 

 

Description of the illustration: a Birthday gift, present, package, hot pink ribbon, stripped wrapping paper, transparent background

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The wedding at Cana...

Description of the illustration: water turned to wine, illuminated manuscript, Jesus and his mother Mary attend a wedding

       The transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John. In the Gospel account, Jesus, his mother and his disciples are invited to a wedding, and when the wine runs out, Jesus delivers a sign of his glory by turning water into wine.
       The location of Cana has been subject to debate among biblical scholars and archeologists; several villages in Galilee are possible candidates.
       John 2:1-11 states that while Jesus was at a wedding in Cana with his disciples, the party ran out of wine. Jesus' mother (unnamed in John's Gospel) told Jesus, "They have no wine," and Jesus replied, "O Woman, what has this to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother then said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:3-5). Jesus ordered the servants to fill containers with water and to draw out some and take it to the chief steward waiter. After tasting it, without knowing where it came from, the steward remarked to the bridegroom that he had departed from the custom of serving the best wine first by serving it last (John 2:6-10). John adds that: "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and it revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him" (John 2:11).

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Christ's Temptation...

"But Jesus answered, 'The scripture says, 'Man cannot live on bread alone.'"
 Luke 4:4 and Cross Reference "He made you go hungry, and then he
gave you manna to eat, food that you and your ancestors had never eaten before.
 He did this to teach you that man must not depend on bread alone to sustain him,
but on everything that the LORD says." Deuteronomy 8:3

Description of Illustrations: scriptures quoted from The Good News Bible, profile of Christ, gold and white colors, gold text

"Jesus answered, 'The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God
 and serve only him!'" Luke 4:8 and Cross Reference "Have reverence
for the LORD your God, worship only him, and make your
promises in his name alone." Deuteronomy 6:13

"But Jesus answered, 'The scripture says, 'Do not put the Lord
your God to the test.'" Luke 4:12 and Cross Reference
"Do not put the LORD your God to the test,
as you did at Massah." Deuteronomy 6:16

The Visitation Framed

Description of Illustration: The Visitation, Mary and Elizabeth, Advent, frames, transparent backgrounds

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The Prophets Window

Description of the illustration: stained glass window,"The Prophets Joel, Zephaniah, Amos and Hosea, from the north aisle of the nave, Fairford

Thought About Defining God: "In form, the word “God” is small indeed, but in meaning it is infinite. It expresses the greatest thought that ever entered the heart of man. It is lisped by the children, read ‘and known of all men; but also inscribed at the zenith of the universe, and shedding its glory on all below it."—H. W. Everest.

Kneeling in prayer...

Description of the illustration:stained glass window, kneeling, praying, "Kneeling donors, from "Acts of Mercy" window, All Saints', North Street, York, 15th Century

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Methuselah Window, Canterbury

Description of the illustration: stained glass window, Methuselah, Canterbury, originally in choir clerestory, 12th Century

Methuselah (Hebrew: מְתוּשֶׁלַח‎ / מְתוּשָׁלַח‎, Modern Metušélaħ / Metušálaħ Tiberian Məṯûšélaḥ / Məṯûšālaḥ ; "Man of the dart/spear", or alternatively "his death shall bring judgment") is the man reported to have lived the longest at the age of 969 in the Hebrew Bible. Extra-biblical tradition maintains that he died on the 11th of Cheshvan of the year 1656AM (Anno Mundi, after Creation), seven days before the beginning of the Great Flood. Methuselah was the son of Enoch, the father of Lamech, and the grandfather of Noah.

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