[Jacob] dreamed, and behold,
a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven;
and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
And behold, the Lord stood above it....
(Genesis 28:12-13)

When a person possessing a heavenly love reads the Word
it links him to heaven and through heaven to the Lord,
as a result of which he receives enlightenment and instruction.
(Arcana Coelestia 9382:3)

The story of Jacob's dream is a beautiful picture of how the Lord comforted Jacob on his journey away from his homeland and family. The story is also an illustration of how the Lord supports us on our life's journey by means of His Word. When we read or listen to the Word, we are linked with the angels of heaven and with the Lord Himself. For when we turn to the Lord in His Word, we open ourselves up to His guidance and allow Him to lift us up a stairway of our own to continually draw closer to our heavenly Father. 

Highlights for this month include

"The Ladder That Joins Us to Heaven" the concept article by the Rev. Norbert Rogers
Just as the ladder joined together the Lord, the angels, and Jacob, the Word joins together the Lord, the angels, and people. As we read the Lord's Word, He can make a ladder in us so that we can be connected with the angels and with the Lord Himself.

 ILLUSTRATION: Stairway to Heaven by Nancy Schnarr (PDF)
This beautiful black and white depiction of Jacob's dream can be printed and displayed as is or made your own with colored pencils, watercolor, etc.

 Blessings for mealtimes (PDF)

"Surely the Lord Is in This Place" a sermon by the Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh (html)
Jacob's ladder pictures the way we all can uplifted from this earth and led to heaven through the truths of the Lord's Word.

 PROJECT: Illustrated Bookmarks on the Lord Teaching Us in His Word (PDF)

 PROJECT: Pattern for a Paper Snowflake of the Open Word (PDF)

 SPIRITUAL TASK: What Is the Lord Trying to Tell You? (for teens and up) (PDF)

An Overview of Projects and Activities for Families (html)
Projects and activities about Jacob's Ladder, How the Lord Teaches Us in His Word, Enlightenment from the Lord, and Climbing Up the Stairway.

"The Stairway to Heaven" a family talk by the Rev. Frederick Schnarr (html)
It is the Word that connects our minds on earth with the minds of the angels in heaven and with the Lord Himself. When we use knowledge from the Word then our mind not only receives the loves and affections of the angels, but our good loves rise up to give happiness to the angels. This is why Jacob saw angels "ascending and descending."

 SONG: Jacob's Ladder by Lori Odhner (PDF)

 PROJECT: Picturing Jacob's Dream (for ages 6-10) (PDF)
Use the wax resist method to picture Jacob's comforting dream. Use oil pastels (or wax crayons) to draw Jacob, a stairway or ladder, and angels in white garments going up and down the ladder. Then brush the picture with light blue watercolor (or a teaspoon of powdered poster paint mixed with ½ cup water) to make the night sky.