St. Andrew Christmas Novena

A symbol of God’s providence.

I created this ornament for the Jesse Tree Swap hosted by Jessica at Housewifespice.

inspired from here

Ruth and Boaz (Symbol: sheaf of wheat)
Ruth 1:16; 2:2, 8, 10-12; 4:13-14 – RSV

But Ruth said [to Naomi], “Entreat me not to leave you or to return
from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you
lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God
my God.”

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field,
and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall
find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” … Then Boaz
said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in
another field or leave this one, but keep close to my maidens.”

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him,
“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice
of me, when I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that
you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your
husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and
mother and your native land and came to a people that you did
not know before. The Lord recompense you for what you have
done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of
Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife … and the Lord gave
her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to
Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without
next of kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!”

~~~

Supplies:

• Dried Wheat (JoAnn – $4.99/15)
• Scissors
• Hot Glue gun
• Raffia

Directions:

• Soak the wheat stems in water (do not get the wheat head wet)
• Remove the stems from the water, pat dry
• Collect three like-sized wheat stalks to braid
• Wrap the end of the braid to meet the start of the braid
• Glue the braided stem into place (I also used a clear rubber band to secure the stem)
• Trim and embellish as desired

~~~

Additional Meditation for this Reflection

found at Presentation Ministries

“Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” —Ruth 1:16

Ruth the Moabite committed social suicide when she insisted on returning with her mother-in-law to Jerusalem after both of their husbands died. Being a foreigner, there was little chance for Ruth to be married and have a livelihood.

Prayer: Father, make me faithful in serving my brothers and sisters in Christ no matter how difficult the circumstances.

~~~

“May the Lord reward what you have done! May you receive a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come for refuge.” —Ruth 2:12

The Lord rewarded Ruth’s faithfulness by giving her protection and provision in leading her to glean in the fields of Boaz.

Prayer: Father, by my faithfulness to You, may I give You an opportunity to reward me.

~~~

“The neighbor women gave him his name, at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi. They called him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” —Ruth 4:17

Ruth not only married Boaz; she also became the great-grandmother of David, from whose house came Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. True victory, success, prosperity, and happiness are not attained by worldly means but by faithfulness to God and His people.

Prayer: Father, may I lose my life so I can gain it (Lk 9:24).

~~~

Be like Ruth. Stay with your Redeemer. Abandon your life into the hands of Jesus.