1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. — Matthew 1:1‍‍
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Christmas is fast approaching. It’s not just a time of looking forward to what lies ahead. It’s also a time to reflect on that past. Chances are, at some point, you will find yourself gathered with friends and family, eating cookies, and telling stories. Perhaps an old photo that has been hibernating for years will surface, awakening long forgotten memories of past generations. It is in the context of our past generations that we most fully understand who we are.

...if we want to understand who Christ, the child of Christmas, is fully, we must first understand the generations that came before him.

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Similarly, if we want to understand who Christ, the child of Christmas, is fully, we must first understand the generations that came before him. Matthew carefully records the genealogy of Christ for us, tracing it back some forty-two generations. Among the ordinary people listed, two names stand out as being uniquely significant: Abra-
ham and David. Both Abraham and David played important roles in redemptive history. But what is perhaps most important about these men is not who they were but what God had promised them.

God promised a gigantic family through whom the entire earth would be blessed.

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To Abraham, an old man with a barren wife, God promised a gigantic family through whom the entire earth would be blessed. Somehow, the chaos and curse of sin, which had infected all of creation, would be overturned through Abraham’s future descendant, who is Christ (Galatians 3:16).

To David, the King of Israel, God promised an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:12 & 16). Though David’s reign would come to a tragic end and his own house would be divided, at some point in the distant future, God would re-establish David’s throne in righteousness.

Forever.

Generations would come and generations would go, waiting to see how God would keep his Word. Though the faithfulness of God’s people would wax and wane, the promises God made to Abraham and David would stand secure.

As Matthew tells the story of Christ’s birth, he first reminds us of the past. He shows us that God is faithful. What God has promised, God has done. As we enter into this Advent season, may we be reminded that God always keeps his Word. When the path appears dark, when the way is unknown, when God’s hand is unseen, and when his presence is unfelt, remember that he always keeps his promises. Always.
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Liturgy

Ever faithful God,
You give your Word, and you keep your Word.
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Your promises to Eve, Abraham, and David,
all of them kept in your perfect timing.
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As generations come and generations go,  
waiting, wondering, questioning...
You remain faithful, never wavering  
from all you have promised.
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What you speak, you deliver.
Against all odds, your truth stands forever.
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An old man, a barren wife, a divided family...
Nothing can thwart your plan.
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Nothing.
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God of promises, teach us to trust in you.
When all else fails, may we stand upon your Word.
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Teach us to trust your timing, your plan, your wisdom,  
and your power.
Teach us, O God, to question our skepticism.
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When doubt creeps in, bring us back to the manger
where we find your promised Word, given to us.
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Remind us once again, O LORD, that you are faithful.

Amen.