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Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan. 
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, 
the husband of Mary - of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ.  
Matthew 1:15-16 CEB
There's a long list here at the beginning of the Christmas story. 
A long list of people. 
The story of Christmas, Jesus entering the world is a human story. 
It's couched in his human history. 
There's a long list behind me, and there's a long list behind you. 
Jesus story is God entering in, and at the same time it's a human story. 
Jesus was one of us. 
And...this is Joseph's line, the Joseph who was Jesus "adopted" Dad. 
It's like Joseph's whole family line and heritage was adopted by Jesus. 
Follow Jesus this Christmas, do some adopting, check in on that workmate, classmate, colleague, neighbour, friend... do they need a fam to gather with, a Christmas meal to share?
Christmas is a human story, one that starts with inclusion, wrapping in, adopting. 
#christmas2023
#dosomeadopting


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