Matt.  1:1-16

“…Tamar…Rahab…Ruth…Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba)…Mary..”

I have just one more thought about the genealogy before we actually begin talking about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.  What strikes me quite curiously, when I read this is that out of 49 names (give or take) there are only 5 women’s names mentioned.  This is quite remarkable for a couple of reasons.  One, the culture in those days was unbelievably male dominated.  Women weren’t even allowed to worship with the men.  They certainly were unable to get an education.  Therefore, it is quite significant that these 5 women’s names were historically recorded in the genealogy of Jesus.  Four of these women have one main thing in common—they weren’t perfect.  Tamar was raped, Rahab was a prostitute, Ruth was not even a Hebrew (she was a Moabite, hated by the Israelites), and Bathsheba committed adultery.  Mary’s name is recorded because she was the blessed woman who gave birth to God’s son.

This is some how very comforting to me as I read this passage.  It is once again a reminder to me that God uses imperfect people.  God can turn anything around for His good and His glory.  King David had an affair with Bathsheba and out of that union came Solomon, who later became one of Israel’s greatest kings.  And from Solomon came the rest of the genealogy that leads to Jesus.

Does this some how say that God made David and Bathsheba sin so that His will could be accomplished?  Absolutely not.  God hates sin.  But does this somehow say that in spite of sin, if we are contrite, as David was, and seek to do the right thing from this point forward, can God use us?  The answer is most definitely YES!!!!!    God is still the God of second chances, and new beginnings.  He is still the God of re-birth.  And He is still the God that is setting His people free.

Matt.  1:1-17

“A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

The genealogy recorded here in Matthew seems, at first glance, a big waste of time and very unnecessary.  Then as I recall from Bible 101 in my college days, I remember that Matthew had a specific purpose for writing his gospel.  He was “targeting his audience” as some would say because he was specifically writing to the Hebrew people who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.  He began by connecting Jesus, not only to his Jewish heritage, but also to the Old Testament prophecies.  He connected Jesus to King David through his earthly father’s, Joseph, lineage—“Joseph, of the house of David.”

Matthew was passionate about His Messiah, yet he knew that for the Hebrew people to hear what he had to say, he had to speak a common language.

I think this is an incredibly valuable example and lesson for all of us.  If we want to communicate to a person or a group, we must find out about that person or group.  What makes them tick, what are they passionate about, what are their likes and dislikes?  Then try to find a common language that helps you communicate and, more importantly, helps them hear.

Jesus used parables through out his entire ministry for this very purpose.  When he talked to fishermen, he used the illustrations about being ‘fishers of men.’  That’s something that Peter, James, and John could relate to.  When he talked to the woman at the well, he first found out where she was in her life, and then shared with her in a way that she could hear.

As a performer, one of my philosophies has always been to “go to the audience, don’t make them come to you.”  I try to do a little research before each performance to find out about the audience.  Then I feel like if I can better share with them things in a way they will understand.  For example, telling kid stories to a group of businessmen is a bad idea, but telling mom tales to a group of mothers of preschoolers will probably be a big homerun.

Someday, when this night is over

And the star has faded, and the angels fly

I will look to you with wonder

Dreaming of this first night, when I heard you cry

Someday, you’ll take your tiny fingers

And with just a touch will cause the blind to see

Someday, you will walk with strangers

But tonight I’ll rock you, stay awhile with me

As I reflect upon this song, I hear many poignant and tender lyrics.  One of the most difficult challenges for me as a parent is to leave my children in God’s hands.  Though God has given me such amazing children, ultimately they belong to God.  Some days as I read the newspaper or listen to the news on TV, I am absolutely convinced that I need to lock my kids in the house forever.  There is so much pain and hurt in the world and it is my nature to want to shield them from all of it.  I realize of course that is not a reality.  But the world is a very scary place and I want to hold on to my little angels just a little while longer.  Not knowing what the future holds, I certainly hold on way too tight.

As a parent, I would suspect that Mary might have had some of these same feelings.  God gave her the ultimate responsibility of caring for and raising His son.  She knew, perhaps all too well, what lay ahead for her son.  How she would have loved to shield him from the pain He would bear.  However, she also knew that He ultimately belonged to God, and that Jesus was forever going to be safely in His Father’s hands.

Ever since I can remember, I have heard the Christmas Story. I have heard it told through the eyes of the wise men, the shepherds, the animals, and the innkeeper. However, the one that means the most to me is the story that is told through the eyes of Mary. Certainly, Mary gave birth to the Son of God, the King of Kings on that Holy Night. But, she also gave birth to her first born son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. She laid Him in a manger. She heard His first cries. She comforted Him, sang Him a lullaby, nursed him, rocked him, and cared for him as only a mother can do. 

This devotional that leads up to Christmas Day is done through the eyes and heart of Mary.  The idea for this book was born out of a beautiful Christmas song written by my friend, Rick Vale entitled SOMEDAY.  I imagine Mary singing these words from her heart to her son as she rocks him on that first silent, holy night.

My prayer for you is that you will allow God’s Son to be born a new in you this season.  He is still the God of new beginnings and re birth.