Almost hidden between Judges and I Samuel in the Old Testament is a wonderful story of Ruth and Boaz. The story is enclosed by two rather large family trees worthy of a program on “Finding Your Roots.” Ozelle and I go to two family reunions a year, one for her Harwell family tree and one for my Violet family. At both gatherings we do a lot of looking back while adding new branches to growing family trees. But our trees have far fewer branches and much less significance than the family tree in Ruth 4:18-22 and the two family trees in two of the gospels, Matthew and Luke.
I have heard and sometimes read many Scriptures during worship services, but I have never heard anyone read Matthew 1:1-16 or Luke 3:23-38 from the pulpit, but these long lists of names are obviously important to these two writers since they are presented as a vital part of the gospel: the good news. Both lists take us back from the birth of Jesus to his earthly family trees. In Matthew 1:5 we find Boaz and Ruth forming the branch that ultimately leads us to the star of the tree—Jesus. In Luke, the story of Jesus begins with his wondrous birth. Then as Luke begins his story of the ministry of Jesus, he gives his credentials: his family tree that begins with Joseph.
In Matthew we go up the family tree to Jesus, the star at the top of the tree. In Luke we start at the top of our Christmas tree and go down the tree to Adam, “the son of God,” who is the first branch of the tree, created and planted by God. As you trim your tree this year, remember who is both the foundation and star of Christmas.
Bob Scrutchins