Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 17, 2024

Date: Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Scripture Text: Matthew 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,

whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab.

Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz,

whose mother was Rahab.

Boaz became the father of Obed,

whose mother was Ruth.

Obed became the father of Jesse,

Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asaph.

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah became the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amos,

Amos the father of Josiah.

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,

Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

Abiud became the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok.

Zadok became the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud the father of Eleazar.

Eleazar became the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus, the total number of generations

from Abraham to David

is fourteen generations;

from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;

from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,

fourteen generations.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today is the opening genealogy from the Gospel of Matthew. The lengthy genealogy serves to highlight the LORD’s presence and blessings throughout the generations. The LORD was present to each and every generation.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize the LORD’s loving and saving presence in my day? In my life? Do I recognize the gift of Jesus Christ to the world? To me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we praise You for who You are, Creator, Father, LORD. We give You thanks for the gift of your beloved Son to the world, to us. Send your Spirit so that we might more clearly and more perfectly comprehend your love and will for us as we prepare to celebrate the gift of your only-begotten Son, our Savior. Help us to see You and your love for us daily and to prayerfully discern your will for us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.