That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:8-10

 

You’ll find 40 men and four women in Jesus’s genealogy. And what interesting women those four were.

First on the list recorded in the Bible book of Matthew is Tamar, a desperate Gentile widow who had to resort to a daring act to force her father-in-law to keep his commitment to her. Tamar was chosen by God to be an ancestor of Jesus! (Matthew 1:3)

The second woman in Jesus’s genealogy is Rahab, a prostitute. She had faith in the one true God of the Israelites and was willing to risk her life for it. She and her family were saved, and she’s included in Jesus’s blood line. (Matthew 1:5)

Next, we find Ruth, another Gentile. After she became widowed, Ruth chose to follow the God of her Israelite husband’s family and live in a foreign land. She became the grandmother of King David! (Matthew 1:5)

The fourth woman is referred to as “Uriah’s wife, but her name is Bathsheba, the woman taken from her husband by David. She became Solomon’s mother. (Matthew 1:6)

Of course, there is Mary. “Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) was Mary’s response to the angel, Gabriel. Mary was willing to accept the cost, the humiliation and the stigma of being the mother of Jesus. (Matthew 1:16)

Just as we see all types of people–men and women, Jew and Gentile, sinner and saint in Matthew’s lineup, so angels declared that this “good news…will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10). Jesus’ last words to all of His followers are all-inclusive: “Go, and make disciples of all,” (Matthew 18:26) He told them.

The joy and the hope of Christmas is for all–all nations, all tongues, all tribes.