On the Genealogy of Christ
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Introduction
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
1) the Son of God took upon Himself our human nature. He was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was named Jesus, who is Christ. He entered human history, and although He was “begotten of the Father before all ages,” as we say in the Creed, He took for Himself a human Mother and, therefore, also grandparents, great-grandparents, and other family relationships. He is truly Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” He unites in Himself history and eternity, God and man, heaven and earth. He unites past, present, and future.
2) We learn God took on human nature to save us. He is named Jesus, meaning “God saves.” As the Son of God and God Himself, He has always existed and therefore has no genealogy. However, as the Son of the Virgin, He was born in time and space, and He has a human genealogy through her, even though He has no biological human father. He is a Son without a human father, Who is begotten of God the Father before all ages. He becomes incarnate for our salvation.
Genealogies were very important to the Jewish people because they established their identity as the people of God. Similarly, the Church is also validated, in part, by its history, particularly its “apostolic succession.” This succession — a type of ‘genealogy’ links our present hierarchs with the very first apostolic hierarchs. The Apostles appointed Bishops as their successors, who in turn appointed their own successors, and so on. We have these genealogical records intact, which means the Church recognizes communion and canonicity among the hierarchy.
St. Athanasius of Alexandria says, “The Word was made man so that we might be made divine. He displayed himself through a body so that we might receive knowledge of the invisible Father.” Again, as St. Gregory the Theologian says, “The deity is made man, so that manhood may be deified.” Jesus becomes “God with us” in such a manner that He is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Sermon: Sunday Sermon Series from the Department of Religious Education (DRE) of the Greek Archdiocese of America (GOARCH)
Kontakion. For the Forefeast ~ O Bethlehem, be glad, Ephrata, now be ready. * Behold, the human Ewe comes in haste to deliver * the great Shepherd, whom she bears * as a babe in her virgin womb. * And beholding Him, God-bearing Fathers and Shepherds * now exult in Him, and they sing praises extolling * the Virgin who nurses Him.
Oikos ~ Perceiving the splendor of your childbirth shine forth, O Virgin, God-loving Abraham and the renowned Isaac and Jacob and the entire choir of saints assembled by God all rejoice. They have brought creation to greet you with joyful words. For you are the cause of joy for all, having conceived in your womb the very One who was seen in Babylon of old, and in a manner passing all understanding preserved unscathed the Servants who were thrown unjustly into the furnace. Therefore they sing praises to the One who was seen in the arms of the Maiden, extolling the Virgin who nurses Him.
On this day, the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, we have been enjoined by our holy and God-bearing Fathers to commemorate all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke enumerated in historical order; and also the Prophets and Prophetesses.
Kontakion. For the Forefeast ~ O Bethlehem, be glad, Ephrata, now be ready. * Behold, the human Ewe comes in haste to deliver * the great Shepherd, whom she bears * as a babe in her virgin womb. * And beholding Him, God-bearing Fathers and Shepherds * now exult in Him, and they sing praises extolling * the Virgin who nurses Him.
Oikos ~ Perceiving the splendor of your childbirth shine forth, O Virgin, God-loving Abraham and the renowned Isaac and Jacob and the entire choir of saints assembled by God all rejoice. They have brought creation to greet you with joyful words. For you are the cause of joy for all, having conceived in your womb the very One who was seen in Babylon of old, and in a manner passing all understanding preserved unscathed the Servants who were thrown unjustly into the furnace. Therefore they sing praises to the One who was seen in the arms of the Maiden, extolling the Virgin who nurses Him.
On this day, the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, we have been enjoined by our holy and God-bearing Fathers to commemorate all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke enumerated in historical order; and also the Prophets and Prophetesses.