Sacred Scripture
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.( Matthew 1:1-17)
Reflection
You can view this passage as simply a genealogy or more than that.
The lineage that Jesus came from wasn’t just of saints. But from this sinful past, by the grace of God, came Jesus. From darkness came light, from sin came truth! The point is, even if there is a dark path in our past, from it can come great things! It was once said, “God writes straight with crooked lines!” Our crooked paths can lead us to somewhere great; our crooked paths have a reason.
Today we are called to question, what have we struggled with in our lives? What have been our mistakes, our sins? Have we admitted our sins and asked for forgiveness and mercy? We are taught today that out of darkness comes light and out of sin good things come. The same is true with our lives. Even if we have a sinful path God wants us to ask for forgiveness! Jesus came from a lineage of sinners so he understands our hearts and wants to bring us mercy! During this Advent season we are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus. One of the ways we can do this is by looking within our family. What are the gifts that you received from your family? What do you consider the greatest gift that you received from your family? What did you learn in your family that was painful or disappointing? No family is perfect, just as we are not perfect. What were the challenges in your family? How did you deal with them?
Take time and reflect on your family: your birth family and also the family you belong to at this time. What are the gifts they give you? What do you appreciate about your family? What might be disappointing to you about your family? What is the greatest gift you receive/d from your family? What are the gifts that you share with them?
The greatest gift you can give them is your love and the source of the greatest love is Jesus Christ. No wonder the gift of Christmas is as meaningful as it is.
Prayer of The Day
Lord, your birth this Christmas is the center and culmination of human history. I thank you for the gift of life, for the mission you have entrusted to me, for granting me the possibility of recovering my dignity, and for adopting me as your child.
Daily Note
We are shaped and formed by our families. Most of us don’t choose our family; we are born into a family. We begin learning from our family the moment we are born – (or perhaps even when we are in the womb). Jesus also was shaped by His family. Mary and Joseph were His first teachers. They taught Jesus about God, life, love, how to act, how to pray and so much more.
