Awaking to the wonderful sight of snow outside on Christmas morning is truly a first in quite a while. As sleepy eyes slowly opened this morning, greetings of ‘Merry Christmas’ echoed throughout the halls and rooms. One by one each person made their way down to the warm Family Room (thank you Daniel for stoking the fire earlier this morning) for morning devotions.

Dad had prepared a special Christmas devotion. We turned to the book of Matthew and some were probably a bit surprised that we read just the first 17 verses of Matthew where is recorded the genealogies of Jesus Christ – nothing more. And yet, as Dad went on to share, the message of Christmas is beautifully proclaimed from these verses.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham…And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;  And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;  – Matthew 1:1,5-6

Abraham, amidst great failure in that he feared, lied, and committed immorality, turned to and believe God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Gal. 3:6). Ruth left behind her country, her people, and her ways, to follow a discouraged and bitter mother-in-law, why? Out of faith in, not Naomi, but the God of Naomi. David was a man who shed innocent blood and committed adultery and yet he is known as a man after God’s own heart. Why? Not because of his righteousness, but because he turned to and believed God.

Rather than leaning upon their own understandings, all three chose to trust in the Sovereign God. They believed the Messiah would one day come. Lo and behold, they stand in the direct lineage of Christ. The message of Christmas, is the same message given to Mary, to Joseph, and to the Shepherds, the message of, “Fear Not.”

Let not your sin pull you down. Rather turn to the one who shed His blood for the sins of all mankind. Christ is come today. Fear not what may come rather fear and honor the King of Kings who was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Devotions came to a close with a special time of prayer for our extended and church family. We left the family room thrilled over the message God had given in 17 verses of genealogies.

Merry Christmas dear ones both near and far. Fear not, Christ has come today – turn to Him, there is no other way.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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