‘‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.’’ (Matthew 1:23)

I anticipate becoming a grandfather for the first time on or around the date this is published. As I move ‘up’ in the family tree, I gain a deeper appreciation for genealogy and its impact on generations. The genealogy of Jesus, which might seem tedious to us, was of vital significance in the ancient Jewish world. Matthew’s list is more than names; it frames Jesus as the climax of Israel’s history and the dawn of a new creation.

Why does Matthew trace the genealogy only to break the link at the end? It shows legal continuity to David, but the way it is grouped raises expectations of something new. This newness is prefigured by Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, all outsiders or involved in scandals, revealing that God works through unexpected means. Nothing is more unexpected than a virgin conception. God interrupts history to announce Jesus as the new Adam, Emmanuel God with Us, ushering in the grace of salvation.

Looking forward to a new generation in my own family, I’m reminded that our stories are part of a greater tapestry. May we find hope and courage, knowing God is with us, often working through the unexpected, inviting each of us into the unfolding story of grace.