Families have stories we tell and retell. These stories shape us, helping us understand who we are and where we come from. They explain the quirks, the values, and even the mistakes that define us.
I remember coming home from a family visit in Georgia. One morning, I woke up to hear my dad sharing stories from his childhood—stories about life in Chaplin, Kentucky, during seminary when money was tight. He shared how neighbors like Allena would pull up, honk the horn, and hand over money for the kids’ clothes or yard sale treasures. These small acts of kindness built the fabric of his memories and shaped our family identity.
One particular memory stands out: we had season passes to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Two of the kids were still free, and we made the most of it, capping off each visit with dinner at Tumbleweed Tex-Mex Grill. One time, Katie didn’t finish her milk. My theory then was simple: you don’t waste milk. So, I drank it—lukewarm and all. Let’s just say the rest of the story is family lore my children love to tell.
As a church, we’re also creating stories—little “Jesus stories” that capture moments of grace, joy, and growth. These stories bind us together as a spiritual family.
Visiting Matthew’s Gospel Home
This Advent, we’ve been imagining sitting with the Gospel writers in their “homes” to hear the story of the Savior’s arrival. Today, we step into Matthew’s home—a place rich with stories, backstories, and history. It’s a house that’s been there for generations, filled with ornate details and family heirlooms. Think “Zillow Gone Wild” level of grandeur—a home that makes you wonder about its past.
An architect might describe it as Gothic Revival, steeped in mystery and heritage. Open a closet, and family skeletons might literally tumble out. It’s the kind of house where every picture tells a story, much like Hogwarts’ moving staircases, and you can’t help but feel its history envelop you.
Matthew’s Family Portraits
Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy—a family tree that stretches back to Abraham. Imagine walls adorned with portraits: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David. But alongside these patriarchs are the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—women whose lives were marked by scandal, hardship, and extraordinary faith. Through them, God brought about His purposes, weaving redemption into the family line.
Matthew’s genealogy doesn’t shy away from the messiness of human history. It’s raw, real, and redemptive. It’s a reminder that God’s grace can redeem even the most broken pasts. If your family has skeletons in its closet, you’re in good company.
Joseph’s Dream and Obedience
The genealogy leads to Joseph, a man whose life mirrors that of another Joseph—the dreamer of Genesis. Like his namesake, Joseph in Matthew’s account receives divine dreams that guide him to protect and provide for Mary and Jesus. His story is one of obedience, even when it defied societal norms.
Matthew recounts the miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ birth: angelic announcements, fulfilled prophecies, celestial signs, and the faith of outsiders who came to worship. Through these stories, Matthew boldly proclaims: This is the fulfillment of history and God’s promises.
The Outsiders’ Worship
Matthew’s account includes the visit of the Magi—outsiders drawn by a celestial sign to worship the newborn King. Their response was one of overwhelming joy. They bowed down, offered treasures, and worshiped. These foreign priests recognized what many insiders could not: the arrival of the Savior.
Their joy reminds us that Jesus is the cause for celebration for anyone who knows their need for deliverance. He is the Savior for:
- The poor in spirit.
- The grieving.
- Those burdened by religious rule-keeping.
- The outcasts and outsiders.
The Good News for All
Matthew, once a tax collector and outsider himself, knew the power of being welcomed into God’s family. His gospel tells the grand story of salvation—from exclusion to inclusion, from exile to reception, from darkness to light.
The Wise Men’s response is our invitation: to worship, rejoice, and bring our best to Jesus. As the carol says:
Mild He lays His glory by,Born that man no more may die,Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.
This Advent, let’s join in the joy of worshiping the Savior. Just as the Wise Men bowed in reverence, may we offer our hearts in response to the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.
