November 26, 2021 – December 24, 2021
Christmas Hope and the Women in Jesus' Family Tree
Advent is the liturgical season of waiting and preparing our hearts for Jesus Christ’s coming into the world. We read the stories of his birth in the gospels, but the gospel of Matthew doesn’t begin with the birth narrative; it starts with history. The gospel of Matthew opens with Jesus’ family tree and affirms for its Jewish audience that Jesus is the promised Messiah in the line of David. But the gospel writer does something out of the ordinary—he includes five women in Jesus’ genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba), and Mary. In this Groundwork series, we’ll study the stories of these women as an Advent reflection. Through their stories, we’ll be reminded of the meaning of Christmas: Jesus came to deal with the reality of human sin. Further, we’ll recognize the great hope and promise of belonging for the broken, the traumatized, the outsider, and the imperfect as we witness the fullness of God’s love and faithfulness through the women in Jesus’ family tree.
Episodes in this Series
November 26 , 2021
Christmas Hope: Tamar
If you feel far from God this Christmas—or if you just need a reminder that nothing can separate you from his love—then join Groundwork for an Advent reflection on the story of Tamar.
December 3 , 2021
Christmas Hope: Rahab
Do you feel like you don't belong or that you're too messed up for God? Discover biblical truths about faith, deliverance, and belonging in our Advent reflection on Rahab’s story.
December 10 , 2021
Christmas Hope: Ruth
When the trials and challenges drag on with no end in sight, it’s easy to wonder if God cares. In our Advent reflection on Ruth's story, we're reminded that God does not forget his people and he brings those who are faithful into his family.
December 17 , 2021
Christmas Hope: Bathsheba
Life is messy and filled with brokenness. Through Bathsheba’s story, we’ll remember why Jesus needed to come, seek the truth of God’s abundant forgiveness, and celebrate Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
December 24 , 2021
Christmas Hope: Mary and Christ's Birth
Discover a God and a Savior who does not move away from our sin and pain, but instead comes alongside us in our Christmas reflection on Mary's story and Christ's birth.