Some of us are fascinated by our family trees, delighting in digging out unknown details of family history and making pilgrimages to the places where our ancestors lived. Tracing your genealogy is considered a hobby, interesting but not absolutely vital, except when matters of inheritance are involved.
We experienced something of the continuing importance of genealogies when Queen Elizabeth died. Upon her death, her son Charles became King. He did nothing to earn that title. He was simply her firstborn son, and thus the heir to her throne. This was established through the recorded genealogy of the Royal Family.
We are one of the world’s longest continuing monarchies. As all executive authority is vested in the sovereign, royal assent is required to allow for bills to become law and for letters patent and orders in council to have legal effect.
While this provides us with a reasonably stable government, there is a growing feeling that it is an archaic anachronism whose time is nearing an end.
However, as our feature reminds us, the genealogy of Jesus will always remain important even if most of us tend to skip over those bits in the Bible.
Dr. John Gram reminds us that those lists of names create a history of God’s work in this world. They not only teach us a bit of ancient history but they also prompt us to pay attention to God’s work in this world now.
Even though we don’t read Matthew’s genealogy at services during the Christmas season, it serves as a prelude to his account of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi.
As I reflected on that I remembered that our Christmas celebrations are very much a family celebration. We are celebrating the birthday of a very important member of our family.
After all, we too are part of the biblical genealogies, even though our names aren’t listed in the Bible. The apostle Paul reminds us, … all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14). Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ … (Romans 8:17).
So, forget about Santa’s list of who is naughty and who is nice. There is a better list, written with love and grace. Happy birthday, brother Jesus.
God bless us, everyone (Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens).
GLIMPSES
The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, with the unborn children they both are carrying, is among the most profound moments in all of Scripture (p. 31).
With all the world’s challenges and tragedies, there are ways to find hope (p. 9).
The interview with Rev. Erik Bjorgan provides some valuable help if your congregation is thinking about how to reach out to the community around it (p. 6).
Thoughtful, ongoing conversations play a valuable part in helping congregations and pastors discern and clarify expectations of the pastor’s role in the congregation that result in practical expections that benefit everyone (p. 15).
Kenn Ward
Editor
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