Word to the Wise
Friday, December 17, 2021 - December 17
[Gen 49:2, 8-10 and Matt 1:1-17,1365]The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace between his legs, while tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage. [Genesis] The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham......[Matthew]
The liturgical scriptures move into high gear today in what one might call the "countdown to Christmas." Each date (Dec. 17, 18 etc.) is specifically indicated with scriptures chosen for this purpose. The ones indicated for December 17 speak to Jesus' ancestral lineage.
In Jesus' time, a male son would be known by his given name and his father's name. Thus, Jesus would ordinarily be known as "Jesus, son of Joseph" [cf. John 1:45]. But consistently the title "Son of David" appears in the gospels. This is a genealogical title but also a theological one because it identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob AND David. The genealogy given from Matthew today (there is a different one with a different purpose in Luke) is a broad narrative, and not professional genealogical history. There was no swab to send to <ancestry.com>.
Over the last few days, I have called attention to the broader meaning not only of Jesus' birth as the fulfillment of the promise made to the Chosen People, but also as part of God's plan of creation from "the beginning." [Genesis 1], which the Gospel According to John also points to. [John 1]. The birth of every person is of significance to all of humanity. The life of all creation belongs to God. The birth of Jesus is of infinite significance! Now that's something to celebrate with the special significance of the next few days! AMEN