Jesus’s Geneology

For the past several years, I have been captivated with genealogies. I want to know more about my ancestors and their stories. I want to know about the journey of life that led to today. So much life is often condensed between two dates – birth and death. And yet, those lives lived, the extraordinary moments and the mundane ones, ultimately led to me and my life, here and now. And my life, here and now, will impact generations to come.

It’s all fascinating, really.

The stories in a family tree

This Advent season, I’ve started rereading the story of Christ’s coming, beginning with Matthew 1. If you look at the lineage of Jesus, It’s easy to breeze through them as just a list of names that are difficult to pronounce. Yet each name listed represents the joys and sorrows, the gladness and the struggles of a life. A life just like yours. Just like mine.

And, some of their stories are ones we know. Some have been lost to history. Each one, however, was crucial to advancing the lineage of the Christ, the Messiah. Each one intentionally included.

In the Messiah’s family tree, there are stories of births and infertility, deaths and widowhood, deception and redemption, joys and sorrows. There are stories of the prostitute, the adulterer, the murderer, and the womanizer. And still stories of faithfulness, self-sacrifice, love, and redemption.

A grander story

Like the stories in Christ’s lineage, ours is part of a grander story, skillfully crafted and artfully woven together since the creation of the world for the redemption of the world. Sometimes, though, we get so caught up in our stories and what God is doing in our lives that we lose sight of the fact that it’s really not all about us. And the reality is our role is not to be the hero or the heroine. Our story is not the main plot line. It’s a subplot, at best, and we are in a supporting role.

But, it’s part of a much bigger story. Much bigger.

Still a significant story

So, maybe your story is a bit messy. Maybe it’s had its ups and downs. Maybe it’s a complete disaster.

And, perhaps you see it as hopeless. Perhaps you feel like your story is just too painful. Perhaps you think your story is insignificant.

The truth of the matter is our stories are significant. Through each part of your story and mine, the Author ultimately advances the greater story line further – to the ultimate redemption of the world through His Son, Jesus.

the message of advent

Isn’t that the message of Advent?

The anticipation.

The hope.

The promise that ultimately when the story comes to an end wrongs will be righted, broken will be made whole, and the Savior will come again.

So, this Advent season, may the promise give you hope. May the anticipation bring you joy. May the Ultimate Gift bring you peace.

 

© 2018 Sara R Conley. All rights reserved.