Readings: Is. 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25
The Family of Jesus
1. We gather this evening to keep vigil for the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world. Christmas always brings families both natural and spiritual together. Unfortunately, this year, our family celebration will be observed differently due to Covid -19 pandemic. So, let us reflect on the family of Jesus, while at the same time praying for our own families too.
2. In the Gospel, we read of the genealogy or the family tree of Jesus. A genealogy is more than just a list of names. Just like our human family, we have our origins through our family tree. It points out our path from the beginning to where we are today. So, it was with Jesus. St. Matthew traced the path of Jesus from its origin to this night as we celebrate his coming in the flesh. The first and the second readings both find fulfillment in Matthew’s genealogy. Acts reminds us that David was to have a descendant far greater than himself; while Isaiah recalls the promise made to Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation and have many descendants. The purpose of the genealogy, according to St. Jerome Biblical commentary is to show that, “Jesus is the Messiah (Mt.1:1,16) the term of the history of salvation that was begun with the promises to Abraham. Jesus is king Messiah, the Son of David, and the Messiah of Israel, the Son of Abraham.”
3. The genealogy is deliberately compiled in 3 sets of 14 names (Mt.1:7), 14 is a multiple of 7. It is divided at the two critical points of Israelite history, the foundation of the monarchy of David and the collapse of David and the collapse of the Monarchy of Judah in the Babylonian conquest of 587 BC. In the compilation of this genealogy, Matthew chose to follow the timeline of the kings of Judah. Four women appear in the genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Tamar deceived her father-in-law Judah into an incestuous union. (Gen. 38), a very interesting story, I must confess. Rahab in folklore was the prostitute of Jericho who sheltered the spies and was admitted to the Israelite community (Joshua 2). Ruth, the heroine of the Book of Ruth, was a Moabite who joined the Israelite community. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah and the partner of David’s adultery (2 Sam. 11). The only common element is that they were not Jews but foreigners.
4. I have taken pains to describe the genealogy of Jesus, especially the four women mentioned therein. Matthew informs us that Jesus’ background includes Jewish and Gentile blood, he came for all people regardless of race. Hence, one cannot and must not lay claims on Jesus and salvation based on race or any privileges one may seem to have. Jesus is the Emmanuel, God who is with us. The ‘us’ stands for all people regardless of race, tribe, tongue and culture. The birth of Jesus means that He will make his dwelling in every heart and every family that seeks him. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, is there anyone who hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20). It doesn’t matter what your family looks like or whether you are a sinner or a saint. Your family may be messed up, your son or daughter may be in jail, your uncle or aunt may be on drugs, you may be sick in hospital or at home, you may be unemployed or may lack food and shelter, there may be violence in our streets, or we may be afraid of covid-19, but as soon as you open the door of your heart to Christ, he will come in and dwell with you. Christ will transform your family and give you a new name. “You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” but you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” (Is. 62:2-4). For “To those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” (Jn. 1:12)
5. So dear friends, in whatever situation we find ourselves, we must celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ was not announced to people of high standing in society, but to poor shepherds who were tending the flock of their masters out in the field on a cold winter night. Christ was not born in a royal hospital but in a dirty smelly manger. His bed was the place where animal’s food was served, and his first visitors were cows. No matter how sad or depressed we may be, Christ has a special place for us in his heart. Remember Joseph! He was betrothed to Mary. But when he found that Mary was pregnant, he wanted to divorce her informally, but the angel assured him that the Holy Spirit was responsible for the pregnancy and he took Mary home and became the foster father of Christ. Christmas is about giving our hearts to God. That was why John told us to prepare the way in our hearts for the Lord. Yes, our families may be messy, but our God is not. We may have doubts, but Christ is born for us, it is his birthday and so we must celebrate and wish him a happy birthday and begin to live a life of joy, peace, hope and love even as we wish ourselves a very Merry Christmas.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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