The internet has provided countless thousands the opportunity to trace their historical ancestry through specialized websites. It continues to be a popular study for many, providing immeasurable satisfaction to those who seek to verify their personal heritage. Apparently, when we know from whom we’ve come; what kind of people we were, where we lived, and what we did for a living, we fortify our internal structure allowing us to rise above the storm of insignificance. To learn about the exploits of those whose blood flows through our veins gives foundation to our inner being.
If knowing our genealogical history does that for us physically, imagine how knowing our spiritual ancestry could strengthen us spiritually!
Jesus’ family tree is carefully traced for us in the Old Testament and repeated for us in the Gospels. Born of nobility into a less than noble situation, his linage includes prophets, priests and kings.
For all the certainty of his ancestry, his story going forward is met with critical challenge at every corner. There has always been, it seems, some debate about the accuracy of the traditional Christmas story. The birth story of our Jesus continues to be one the dynamic tensions of the Christian faith.
It would be less than honest on our part if we failed to recognize our traditional Christmas story does labor under a few historical discrepancies. For instance, although it makes a wonderful nativity scene to have the shepherds and the wise men sharing the same starlight, it’s clear in the Scriptures that they were never there simultaneously. The Gospel verifies the shepherds were among the earliest visitors to the Christ child, but it’s also signifies the wise men didn’t gallop in on camel back for another several years. And then there’s the whole Jewish-calendar-versus-the-Christian-calendar thing; it is more likely Jesus was born in April or May and not December.
But I maintain these elements are only truly significant to those with a penchant for historical detail. Personally, I don’t lose any sleep over whether the little drummer boy parumped onto the scene or not. I am confident Jesus was there. The reality of God becoming a man is not a matter of poetic license, but a matter of earth-shattering importance. The star of this true story is not a glowing orb in the sky but the tiny God/human in the manger.
Since Adam dropped the apple in the Garden, the eternal existence of every human being has teetered on the “second Adam” (Paul’s accurate portrayal of Jesus in his letter to the Romans) who carried the ball for us all the way to the cross, conquering death, and culminating in his resurrection.
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:18-19
Now to those of us who accept Christ’s offer of adoption by faith into his family, the blood of God runs through our veins. No greater gift has ever been devised than this gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The star shone bright that night and forevermore! Glory to God in the Highest, and peace to men on earth.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.