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god’s perfect planning
“Thus the total number of generations is: from Abraham to David, fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian captivity, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian captivity to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” —Matthew 1:17
Seven is the Biblical number for perfection. Fourteen is seven times two: perfection doubled. Three is the Biblical number for the Holy Trinity. Thus, perfection doubled three times over is forty-two generations, the span from Abraham to Jesus (Mt 1:17). The entire lineage of Jesus was perfectly planned by God.
St. Matthew, who recorded the genealogy of Jesus in today’s Gospel, was a tax collector (Mt 9:9). His life consisted of keeping precise records and accurately counting. So we can trust Matthew’s testimony. Matthew loved Jesus so much that he wanted us to know all about Him. His language was words, numbers, and counting. This is the language of love Matthew used to tell us about his much-beloved Jesus, Whom he regards as perfection doubled, three times over.
How much more perfectly God the Father loves Jesus in planning His birth! And how much the Father loves us by planning thousands of years for such a gift to us (see Jn 3:16). God uses lots of people in this triply-perfected plan of salvation (Mt 1:1-16).
Now think of your own plans for Christmas. You have been part of God’s Christmas plans (see Heb 11:40). Is Jesus part of your Christmas planning?
Prayer: Jesus, all of my abilities are at Your service. Use me for Your greater glory and honor.
Promise: “Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.” —Ps 72:7
Praise: “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You govern all creation with Your strong yet tender care.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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