Matthew 1:1-17

This is the genealogy of Jessica, writer of Connect Devotionals.

Nancy was the mother of Gladys, who was small but known for her ferocity.

Gladys was the mother of Viva, the hardworking farm wife who was known for her cooking.

Viva was the mother of Joanne, the wise, who stubbornly defends those she loves.

Joanne is the mother of Jessica, the tall, diligent, and fun loving.

Jessica is the mother of Chloe, who, for better or worse, has inherited the sass and stubbornness of multiple generations of women before her!

My mom has traced our family’s genealogy back several generations, and I had fun talking with her this week about all she’s learned in her research. I was mostly mining for commonalities shared by the women on her side of the family, and it was interesting to see the line of stubborn sass stand out across the last five generations. In reflecting on the lives of the women who have gone before me, there were lots of struggles, hardships, and yes–sass!--but it’s easy to see that each generation also shared a common faith and hope in Jesus.

It's no mistake that the first lines of the New Testament are the genealogy of Jesus! These opening verses serve as a bridge: a reminder of what God has done tied to the hope of new life, and the hope that He’ll do it again.

Looking back at the past and acknowledging all that’s happened can be helpful, especially when viewed through the lens of, “Look at all that God has done!” Looking back can help propel us forward with renewed hope. Matthew’s genealogy tells us that our God is more than capable of working out his will, even when all he’s got to work with are sassy and stubborn people like us!

New life is always hopeful. As we celebrate Jesus’s birth this Christmas season, we also look forward to a time when we’ll all be made new in Him. Take a moment to reflect on the ways God has brought hope to your life, and thank Him for all the ways He’ll continue to do so.