The Meaning of Life

This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent and we will be commencing a series through Matthew's Gospel starting with the birth narrative of Jesus. The genealogy, or family-tree, which opens Matthew's gospel shows us how the birth of Jesus is the fulfilment of God's covenant promises made centuries earlier – to David and to Abraham. These promises are fulfilled despite some pretty messy family situations which threaten to thwart God's purposes. However, what we learn is that God uses these sinful, broken and messy families to fulfil his purposes. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more as the Father brings many sons and daughters to glory through his Son, Jesus Christ.