As we approach Christmas, it’s natural to focus on the nativity scene—shepherds, angels, and the birth of Jesus. However, Matthew’s Gospel opens not with the manger, but with a long genealogy. It’s tempting to skim through this list of names, but within these verses, there’s a profound message that speaks directly to us today.
The genealogy of Jesus isn’t simply a list; it’s a tapestry of God’s grace woven through generations. Matthew’s account begins, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah” (Matthew 1:1). Unlike fairy tales or epic myths, Matthew grounds the story of Jesus in history. He shows us that Jesus came into a world full of imperfect people, working through the mess of real lives.
This genealogy includes some unexpected names—particularly four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Each of these women brings a story of brokenness and resilience. Tamar, a widow left vulnerable, took bold steps to ensure her place in the family. Rahab, a foreigner and a prostitute, risked her life to protect God’s people and became a part of their lineage. Ruth, a Moabite, was an outsider who showed unwavering loyalty and sacrificial love to her mother-in-law, Naomi. And Bathsheba, known mostly for her tragic connection with King David, suffered through betrayal yet was redeemed within God’s plan.
What does this mean for us today? It reminds us that God’s grace breaks through barriers. Jesus’ family tree is filled with people marked by sin, scandal, and hardship. Yet God chose to work through these individuals, showing us that His grace is greater than our failures and that His love
reaches beyond our limits.
When we see Jesus’ lineage, we see a God who doesn’t shy away from our brokenness. Instead, He steps into it. He doesn’t seek the perfect or the righteous; He invites the flawed, the fallen, and the forgotten. Through Jesus, God has opened a way for everyone to be “grafted” into His family, regardless of our background, past mistakes, or struggles.
Christmas is a celebration of this grace. The birth of Jesus was a breakthrough of God’s love into our world, a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of His mercy. Just as Christ’s lineage was marked by imperfection, so are we, but His birth declares that God’s grace is sufficient.
We are welcomed into the family of God, not because of our worthiness but because of His love. The genealogy of Jesus teaches us that God’s Kingdom is built with the imperfect and the broken, that His love includes the excluded, and that His grace is enough for all.
This Christmas, may we hold onto the truth that Jesus came not for the righteous, but for those who know they need grace. May we say “Merry Christmas” with a deep sense of joy and gratitude, knowing that through Jesus, we are part of a family that transcends our failures and is defined by God’s love.