This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah 
the son of David, the son of Abraham…Hezron the father of Ram, 
Ram the father of Amminadab,  
Amminadab the father of Nahshon… 
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, 
Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, 
Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, 
Elihud the father of Eleazar… 
Matthew 1:1-17  

The first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew devotes the first 17 verses to chronicle the genealogy of Jesus. The list includes some familiar names, but also many that are unfamiliar to most of us.  

Looking at our own family tree, each of us would also see names unfamiliar to us. What were they like? How did they spend their days? Did they know our Lord?  

But even those that we think we know…do we really know? The brother you grew up with. The cousin who lived down the street. The weird uncle that showed up on Christmas Eve and plugged his Winnebago in on your family’s carport. Do you and I judge siblings, cousins, and extend family members by who they were then? 

Few (if any) of us would want to be known now by who we were then. I know I’m not who I used to be, and—praise God—I’m not yet who I’m going to be either! The Holy Spirit moving and working in us brings change. Refining. Transformation. If you’re like me, there are a few responses and interactions that, when remembered, still make your face burn with shame.  

We hope (and pray) that the memories of those who knew us then are kind, merciful and forgiving. So perhaps we should endeavor to release the same to those in our own family tree.  

Christmas is a time we often interact with family we seldom see. Perhaps the best way to prepare for family reunions is not only to wrap up your white elephant gift or double your recipe for Grandma’s Sugar Cookies, but to ask God to give you an open mind and gracious heart towards those you’ve known since childhood. Along with your covered dish, carry in a determination to engage in meaningful conversation that seeks to move beyond the surface of typical holiday banter. Refuse to look for behavior that confirms the preconceived label you’ve applied. Ask God to allow you to be a conduit of His love. Ask for the ability to see each family member through His eyes. Ask Him to give you His love for them. Ask God to direct the conversation—to begin a friendship, make a connection, or plant a seed. 

Who knows? Even a family get-together could be a mission field.

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