Advent Devotional: Dec 21
1 Samuel 2:1-10 | Genesis 37:2-11 | Matthew 1:1-17
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. (Matthew 1:17)
The “begats” are not easy to read. But Matthew includes them with good reason. First, the genealogy of Jesus establishes his place among the people of God and demonstrates that he is a descendant of King David. God promised to raise up a king who will reign with wisdom and bring salvation to God’s people from the line of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
Second, the genealogy shows God’s willingness to work in and through people who are flawed. Our reading from Genesis begins the story of Jacob. He is a young, arrogant, somewhat foolish man whose bragging enrages his brothers. Rahab, the mother of Boaz, was a prostitute who became part of the people of Israel after she assisted two Hebrew spies in Jericho (Joshua 6:23-25). Solomon, “whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,” reminds us that David called for the murder of Uriah so that he could marry Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:14-27). Rehoboam, Abijam, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz, Manasseh, Amon, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah all did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 & 2 Kings).
Emmanuel - God with us - was born from a long line of broken people. This teaches us that God is able to accomplish his plans in spite of the evil in our world. God’s faithfulness stands even when our own faithfulness waivers. He has not once abandoned his people or refused to fulfill his promises. The genealogy of Jesus is especially good news because it shows us this: God extends his grace to each of us, no matter what our past holds. He has called us out of darkness and into his light. God offers us forgiveness and joy when we turn and return to him.
Prayer response: Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness. Come, my Life, and revive me from death. Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds. Come, Flame of divine love, and burn up the thorns of my sins, kindling my heart with the flame of thy love. Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart and reign there. For thou alone art my King and my Lord.
- St. Dimitrii of Rostov, 17th Century
Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica, Inc.Adoration Prayer of St. Dimitrii of Rostov from The Oxford Book of Prayer, George Appleton (Ed), Oxford ; New York : Oxford
University Press, 1986, ©1985, p. 4.
Reflection by Rev. Serena J. Wolfe
