Daily Reflection Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

“Names are powerful things. They act as an identity marker and a kind of map, locating you in time and geography. More than that, they can be a compass.” This quote by author Nicola Yoon seems fitting for today’s readings. The genealogy of Jesus Christ is quite a list of who’s who in the bible. The names are a roadmap in time placing the forefathers of our faith in order. Showing each of them in a place and time that is important to our spiritual journey.



Matthew wanted to show how we are all connected. Tracing Jesus to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, shows Jesus as the one who would restore the covenant promise made to Abraham. Tracing Jesus to David lets us know Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to David. The beauty of this genealogy is that it is not all Kings. They are men and women, slaves and free men, shepherds, carpenters, Jews and non-Jews. They are our ancestors in the faith, and they are all children of our father.  A father who loves us so much that he gave us his only son.



A Son who was full of grace and truth, whose glory was seen by many. A Son who dwelt among us who was the Word made flesh. The Word who was with God from the beginning. That Son who was the Word that became flesh, chose you and I to be part of his family. When I looked up the meaning of family I found the following. “Family means having someone to love you unconditionally in spite of you and your shortcomings.” If that does not describe the spiritual family we belong to then nothing does. The Father loved us so much he sent His Son to us. The Son loved us so much he died for us and sent the Holy Spirt to be with us always.



In these final days of Advent think about all those in your family and spiritual family who passed the faith on to you. Pray for them, and if they are still with you on this side of eternity thank them. Thank them for being the name in your genealogy, that gave you a gift greater than anything you might find under the tree this Christmas. Thank them for the gift of faith.