“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” Matthew 1:1-16
This is the Son of David, the Son of Abraham! In my opinion, I think we should add the genealogy in Matthew to the liturgy. Aside from the entertainment of hearing Father Alex attempt to read it, it screams good news! Aside from their connection to Christ Jesus, many in this list have no reason to be lifted up, and considering their offenses, they should be blotted out of God’s history altogether. He is the son of polygamists, idolaters, murderers, and prostitutes.
This list brings about some important things for us think about. First, this shows that God was acting and working in the midst of the terror and horror that was going on in the world throughout the dark days of history leading up to Jesus’ birth. Also, we see once more that God follows through and fulfills his promises.
When we look at the current landscape in our world, we see a lot of reasons to be anxious. Between the division due to a bitter election cycle, terrorism, and worries about the direction of the church and our country, many are left in fear and concern for the future. Nevertheless, we can rest assured that God is with us, and he is working to carry out his plan to bring about new reality.
Prayer
Holy Father, you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. We give you thanks for the gift of you Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Comfort your people from their fears and anxieties of this world. Grant us faith to persevere through trials and tribulations, and stir up in each of us a pure heart so that we might delight in doing your work. In Jesus name, Amen.
Jason Dampier
Jason, a Lutheran seminarian, came to Servants in 2014 to be mentored by Fr. Alex and to gain experience in ministry. Along the way, he has worked with our children, our youth, and our elderly parishioners, serving steadfastly. In August he married his wife Jessica, last week he finished his studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and at the beginning of January he and Jessica will move to Gastonia, NC where he will complete a year-long internship with a Lutheran church. He and Jessica will be missed sorely, but you can hear him preach one more time at Servants on New Year’s Day!