CHRISTMAS VIGIL: The genealogy of Jesus

Matthew 1:1-25

This is the time that we celebrate the birth of the Son of God who came down to us in flesh in order to conquer death, to conquer Hell, and to conquer Sin. Today's readings are chosen by the Church to remind us of what Christmas is; to remind us of God's promise to save His chosen people and Christmas is the fulfillment of that promise through Jesus Christ.

            In the First Reading, (Is. 62:1-5) we heard that the Lord delighted in Zion and has decided to manifest His mercy. He promised that He would not rest until the justification of Zion shine forth like the dawn and her salvation like a burning torch. In the second Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:16-17, 22-25) we hear Paul affirming the fulfillment of God's promises. He says: "When God made David their king, in his testimony about him he said, 'I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' "Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised." And from the Gospel (Mt. 1:1-25) Matthew gives us an "account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham." And he tells us how this birth of Jesus came about. You may be asking yourselves, what do all these names in the genealogy of Jesus signify? Why all these names?

Well, two things to know when we read the book of genealogy:  First: the genealogy reveals the identity of Jesus Christ as: True Israel Son of Abraham and David; And as true God Immanuel, God with us. Being the adopted son of Joseph He is a descendant of David and Abraham. And being the child of Mary He is a new creation generated by the Holy Spirit. Second: the genealogy of Jesus Christ reveals to us the realization of the mysterious plan of God. (Ce n'est pas un retour eternal des fatalités anciennes, mais une avancé mystérieuse vers la réalisation du plan merveillieux et salvifique de Dieu). Whenever we go through these names from Abraham to Jesus we are invited to contemplate the salvific plan of God; to contemplate the mysterious promise God made to our forefathers.

Matthew's genealogy of Jesus traces his lineage from Abraham, the father of God's chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descent of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David's throne. God in his mercy fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Savior and a King to rule over the house of Israel and to deliver them from their enemies.

The second part of the Gospel tells us about the birth of Jesus. Christmas is joyful for us because we celebrate the fulfilment of God's promise in Jesus. He is the hope not only for the people of the Old Covenant but for all nations as well. He is the Savior of the world. In him we receive adoption into a royal priesthood and holy nation as sons and daughters of the living God. This is made possible because of the faith and trust of Mary and Joseph. Mary accepted to face an enormous challenge to her faith and trust in God as she agreed to assume the burden of an illegitimate child to the expense of losing her husband and even her dignity in the society. That required faith and trust in God and in his promise. Joseph, no doubt took this troubling matter to God in prayer.  He did not want to judge or to react with hurt and anger.  God rewarded him not only with guidance and consolation, but with the divine assurance. And this too requires the utmost faith, confidence, and trust in the Almighty God.

At Christmas celebration let us contemplate Mary, Joseph as our models in faith and trust. They are faithful witnesses and servants of God's mysterious plan of redemption. As we celebrate Christmas, are we ready to believe in the promise of God, even when faced with perplexing circumstances and challenges?  God has not left us alone, but has brought us his only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let us celebrate Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation, with joyful hearts and let us renew our faith, trust and hope in God and in his redeeming work.