Family Tree, Tree of Life

The Nativity of the Lord – Vigil

Isaiah 62:1-5 / Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 / Acts 13:16-17,22-25 / Matthew 1:1-25

Family Tree, Tree of Life

Tonight we hear about Jesus’ family tree, his ancestors from Abraham to David to Joseph, the husband of Mary. If each of us has some branches in our family tree we might like to lop off, no less so with the family tree of the Prince of Peace. They were as dysfunctional as any family could be. Some people in this lineage were kings, but not always the most noble of kings. They could be vain, corrupt and uninspiring souls. The women mentioned in this family tree are either outsiders or immoral.

Knowing this, why speak of this family tree on Christmas? Who would be proud of this corrupt, ill-willed, immoral, and all too real family? Isn’t Christmas supposed to be a time of idealism and polished presence — selfless people inspiring us to faith? This seems more like a tree that is rotting at the roots. How can a Savior arise from this stem to lead us to the Tree of Life?

Maybe the rottenness of this tree, or the brokenness of this family, is just the point Matthew is trying to make. And maybe it’s this brokenness and rottenness that Christmas is all about. Knowing Jesus’ dysfunctional band of ancestors cautions us against idealizing his family background. It can give us hope to think that grace came to us through such a household. If through them, can’t it work through the people in our families? Perhaps Joseph saw this dysfunctional pattern in his family being replayed in his own life: “I’m marrying someone who is unfaithful to me even before we get married. I’m repeating the mistakes of my ancestors.” Then the angel spoke: “Joseph, son of David have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit she has conceived this child.”

God is breaking into the dysfunction of our lives to make us whole. There is the reason for hope. Jesus is not God who overrides the human will. Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us, God who knows what it’s like to be one of us. 

Perhaps our family trees would give Jesus’ tree a run for its money. No matter. If we follow the one who comes to us this Christmas, if we follow Emmanuel, he can turn our family trees into trees of life. He will make us sons and daughters of God. There is hope. There is the promise of Christmas: Emmanuel, God-with-us, Tree of Life.

·         Are holiday family gatherings a part of your Christmas tradition? Does seeing your family at Christmas make you uncomfortable? Or is it something you look forward to very much? How do you handle the embarrassing aspects of your family tree? Can you talk to Jesus about the family traditions you have, and how you feel about them? Can you imagine the Baby Jesus being held by each person at your family gatherings? Does seeing each person hold the Christ Child change your perspective?