Readings: Is. 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25
The Family of Jesus
1. Christmas always brings families together. As
we celebrate, let us take a moment to reflect on the family of Jesus while we
pray for our own families. In the Gospel, we read about the genealogy, or
family tree, of Jesus. Genealogy is more than just a list of names; it connects
our human family to its origins and highlights the path from the beginning to
where we are today. This was also true for Jesus. St. Matthew traced the
lineage of Jesus from its origin to the moment we celebrate his coming in the flesh.
The first and second readings find fulfillment in Matthew’s genealogy. The Acts
remind us that David was destined 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 with many descendants.
2. According to St. Jerome’s Biblical commentary,
the purpose of the genealogy is to demonstrate that “Jesus is the Messiah
(Mt. 1:1, 16), the culmination of the history of salvation that began with the
promises to Abraham. Jesus is King Messiah, the Son of David, and the Messiah
of Israel, the Son of Abraham.”
3. Matthew intentionally organized the genealogy
into three sets of 14 names (Mt. 1:7); 14 is a multiple of 7. It is divided
into two key points in Israel's history: the establishment of David's monarchy
and the collapse of Judah's monarchy during the Babylonian conquest of 587 BC.
In compiling 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 relationship
(Gen. 38), while Rahab, often labeled as a prostitute in Jericho, sheltered the
Israelite spies (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 common thread among these
women is that they were foreigners, not Jews.
4. I have taken great care to describe the
genealogy of Jesus, especially the four women mentioned. Matthew reveals that
Jesus’ background includes both Jewish and Gentile heritage; He came for
everyone, regardless of race. Therefore, one cannot lay claim to Jesus and
salvation based on race or perceived privileges. Jesus is Emmanuel, God who is
with us. The term ‘us’ encompasses all people, regardless of race, tribe,
tongue, or culture. The birth of Jesus signifies that He will make His dwelling
in every heart and every family that seeks Him. It doesn’t matter what your
family looks like or whether you are a sinner or a saint. Your family may be
struggling, or a loved one may be in jail; you may be sick, unemployed, or
without shelter; there may be violence in our streets. 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 identity. “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). “To those who
did accept Him, He gave power to become children of God” (Jn. 1:12).
5. So, dear friends, no matter our circumstances, we must celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ was announced not to the high and mighty but to the lowly shepherds tending their flocks on a cold winter night. Christ was not born in a royal hospital but in a manger, where animals were fed. His roommates were not nobles but cows. Regardless of how sad or depressed we may feel, Christ has a special place in His heart for us. Christmas is about giving our hearts to God. That is why John urged us to prepare our hearts for the Lord. Our families may be disordered, but our God is not. We may experience doubts, yet Christ is born for us. It is His birthday, and we must celebrate it with joy and love. Let us live a life filled with joy, peace, hope, and love. Merry Christmas!
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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