During Advent, we hear about the family of Jesus, his ancestors all the way back to Abraham. Some of these names may be familiar, some perhaps less so. What do they mean for us today?

These specific people show that Jesus was indeed a human being. He had grandparents and great grandparents. Jesus did not appear out of thin air; God chose to make him a part of a real human family.

Each of Jesus' ancestors has a story. The closer we look, the more we realise that these ancestors had virtues as well as sins. King David committed adultery but also repented deeply. Rahab was a prostitute but also helped the Israelites enter Jericho. King Ahaz worshipped false gods but fathered a righteous son, King Hezekiah.

These people with mixed pasts remind us about the meaning of Christmas. Jesus' ancestors and we today have both shadows and lights in our lives. We are not perfect or unstained. We are deeply in need of Jesus and His redemption.

Today's Gospel gives us hope. Just as God gave the world Jesus through imperfect and sinful people, so too, God can bring about great blessing through us, even though we are far from perfect.