Christmas time is full of lists:
- Gift lists.
- Shopping lists.
- Card and decorations lists.
- Genealogies.
Wait … you don’t keep a handy list of grandparents nearby at Christmas? I might suppose the lists of Jesus’ grandparents found in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 are overlooked by many. But, there they are setting up the telling of the Gospel story.
Why are these lists important? They show us that God follows through on His promises. Way back in Genesis 12:1 we read, “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. [2] I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. [3] I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
God’s plan had always been to use His people to bless everyone on earth. We know that His plan was side-tracked by our sin and so a Messiah would come from Abraham’s line, through King David, to correct a wayward people.
I’m so glad to have people in my life that help me find or rebuild the lists I lose or forget about. Christmas can be a time to remember God doesn’t lose lists and He doesn’t forget: Matthew 1:16, “Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.”
And now we are added to that list, adopted into God’s family … doing our part to bless this little part of the world that we call home.
Prayer: “Dear God, use my family to bless other families this year. We’re all making our way as best we can and we appreciate Your help. You never forget us. You never lose track of us. We’re a part of Your great big list of people who are helping others this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”