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Advent #6

December 5, 2025

I am surprised. The biblical story of Christmas includes the most unlikely people. Except for the angels and the magi, no one in the story would stand out if you watched from a crowded street corner as they walked by. They were just normal people with the possible exception and surprise of these four women that stand out to me from Matthew’s geneology of Jesus (Matthew 1.1-17).

Tamar (v.3) She seduced Judah (her father-in-law who had deceived her) into having a child with her.

Rahab (v.4). She was a harlot from Jericho (a foreigner) who trusted God and risked her very life when she hid the spies and then lied about their whereabouts.

Ruth (v.5). Ruth also was a foreigner (a Moabitess) who watched her husband die and then by faith turned her back on her own people to follow her mother-in-law into the foreign land of Bethlehem because she trusted God.

Bathsheba (v.6). While her husband was at war, she had an adulterous affair with David, king of Israel, and later married the king after the king had her husband murdered.

Two foreign women and two women with a flawed sexual history.

Think about that.

Then I think of me. I was an enemy of Jesus and I was a foreigner. I am a sinner saved only by grace. Apart for Jesus I have no place to stand on my own for any justification.

And Jesus came for me? And Jesus embraced those four women just like He embraces me?

That’s Christmas.

Just as in the geology of Jesus, Christmas is a time to reach out to those who need Christ. Will we reach out to foreigners? To the homeless? To sinners? To enemies of Christ? To those for whom being with is a challenge for us?

Happy 6^th Day of Advent.

Warmly,

Hal