Genesis 49:2, 8-10 / Matthew 1:1-17

We are one week away from Christmas! Today we begin the second part of the Advent Season, our immediate preparation for the birth of Jesus. Once again we are invited to remember with joy and devotion the events of the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, narrated by the evangelists Matthew and Luke.

Today Matthew begins his gospel by presenting us with the genealogy of Jesus. Genealogy is the list of a family's ancestors.

We know that Matthew wrote his gospel for Christians who had converted from Judaism. For Matthew, it was important to emphasize that Jesus belonged to the family of two great figures of the Jewish faith: the patriarch Abraham and King David.

Matthew's intention was to affirm that God's promise made to the ancestors of the Jews was fulfilled with the birth of the Messiah Jesus, the adopted son of Joseph, the husband of the virgin Mary. The Messiah would be of the descendants of David, of Abraham. Jesus entered this important family through His adoptive father, Joseph. In this large family, there were some very God-fearing relatives, but there were also others who were very sinful.

Today, let us praise God for Jesus' ancestors, and let us think of our own ancestors with a feeling of gratitude to God, asking for mercy for their sins. Let us love everyone, without exception: those who fear God and those who sin.

Today, the Book of Genesis reminds us of God's promise to Jacob - Abraham's grandson - to raise up in his family a great leader whom the peoples would reverence and obey. He was called the Lion of Judah.

We Christians firmly believe that this promise was fulfilled in Jesus. He is the great leader of all peoples. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. ​​Therefore, in our preparation for Christmas, we reverence Jesus and obey Him.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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