Advent Journey - 21st December

Read: Matthew 1 vs 1-25

So it is Christmas … well almost. That’s the situation as the story of the Bible tips from Old Testament into the New. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each wrote a ‘gospel’, an account of the life of Jesus and each of them prepares us for the arrival of Jesus from their own unique angle. With four days to go until Christmas we hope this week to conclude our Advent Journey in the company of these four writers.

Last week I was involved in a family funeral, which finished up in Movilla Cemetery in Newtownards. It is the place where my grandparents and some of my great grandparents are buried. Matthew 1 contains the ‘family tree’ of Jesus, stretching back from his father Joseph, right through the generations to Abraham. Matthew includes this long list of names, not simply to remember those who had come before Jesus, but to set out the identity of Jesus as Israel’s long promised King. 

Jesus is pictured as the One who the whole story thus far has been building up to. He is the blessing promised to Abraham, He is the ruler on David’s throne, and He is the One who will finally lead His people out of exile into a new era of being at home with God.

This Christmas so much seems to be out of control, and even with four days to go, there are so many uncertainties as to what Christmas will look like or can look like. Into our uncertain lives Matthew 1 breaths a breath of certainty. Whatever is going on across in history God knows what He is doing. His words to Joseph call down to us across the years ‘Do not be afraid’ (1:20), God has kept His word. He always does. Immanuel, God has come to be with us. Right here. Right now. Good news. This Christmas.

Prayer: Father thank you that you always know what you are doing. Help me to trust you this Christmas and help me not to be afraid. In Jesus' Name. Amen.