Women in the the genealogy of Jesus // O Holy Night!
My family and I (except my sister) had dinner last night with my dad's side, and today we're all going over to my cousin's house on my mom's side. We didn't put up a tree this year, or get one another gifts, though we'll be having a gift exchange with my cousins tonight. (The kind of exchange where you grab a gift from the pile, open it, then you have one chance to pass it on if you hate it. *g*) Anyway, I'm happy that we'll get to see our extended family and celebrate with them. Even if my sister and I are both sick! :(
Last week, our pastor preached on Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus. Weird thing to preach about, right? But it was actually pretty cool, because he talked about the women in Jesus' genealogy. (And from what I understand, Jewish genealogies don't generally include women, only men. ETA: Interesting discussion with Kita on matrilineal versus patrilineal genealogies.)
3a Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
6b David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Except for Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, whom Matthew doesn't refer to by name (some interpret Matthew as being disapproving of Bathsheba for committing adultery), we have strong and unorthodox women whose righteousness made their names great. Tamar was as cunning as a serpent, tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her, and got justice for herself. Rahab the prostitute recognised God's power and hid the Israelite spies. Ruth was loyal to her mother-in-law and found a kinsman redeemer to marry her. And Mary risked being divorced and shunned by getting pregnant.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
In the grand tradition of ATPo, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy online caroling :D
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
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Last week, our pastor preached on Matthew 1, the genealogy of Jesus. Weird thing to preach about, right? But it was actually pretty cool, because he talked about the women in Jesus' genealogy. (And from what I understand, Jewish genealogies don't generally include women, only men. ETA: Interesting discussion with Kita on matrilineal versus patrilineal genealogies.)
3a Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
6b David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Except for Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, whom Matthew doesn't refer to by name (some interpret Matthew as being disapproving of Bathsheba for committing adultery), we have strong and unorthodox women whose righteousness made their names great. Tamar was as cunning as a serpent, tricked her father-in-law into sleeping with her, and got justice for herself. Rahab the prostitute recognised God's power and hid the Israelite spies. Ruth was loyal to her mother-in-law and found a kinsman redeemer to marry her. And Mary risked being divorced and shunned by getting pregnant.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
In the grand tradition of ATPo, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy online caroling :D
Click to viewO holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
I prefer comments on Dreamwidth |
comment(s)