Sunday of Our Ancestors

On the Sunday before Christmas, known as the Sunday of the Ancestors, we commemorate all the ancestors of Christ. Matthew 1:1-25 provides the genealogy of Jesus Christ and the account of His birth. Verses 1-17 trace Jesus' royal lineage from Abraham through King David to Joseph, the husband of Mary, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's lineage.

In verses 18-19, Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant. Being a righteous man, he plans to divorce her quietly to avoid public shame. However, in verses 20-21, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him to take Mary as his wife because her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This emphasizes the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception, affirming that it is part of God's divine plan.

Verses 22-23 highlight that these events fulfill the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, which states that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son called Immanuel, meaning "God with us." The angel explains that Jesus will save His people from their sins, highlighting His role as the Savior.

Finally, in verses 24-25, Joseph obeys the angel's command, takes Mary as his wife, and names the child Jesus when He is born.

The readings and hymns of this day reflect on the faith and righteousness of these ancestors, acknowledging their part in God's plan for the Incarnation. It serves as a reminder of the continuity of God's work through generations and the fulfillment of His promises.