Tamar. Rahab.  Ruth. Bathsheba. Mary. 

Five women. At first glance, nothing would seem to tie these women’s stories together.

One is known for her deception.  The other for her devotion.  One for her purity. The other for her prostitution. One for being at the “wrong place at the wrong time.”  One for being chosen at the ordained time.  

Some seemed to be defined by losses that were outside of their control; others by  choices that were very much in their control. 

Five women, one story. Five backgrounds, one purpose. 

What could possibly weave these women’s stories together?

Each are listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1). They have been brought into the family of God.  Oh how big His family is, that there is room for the most unlikely of hearts! How deep is His love, how wide is His grace, how complete is His forgiveness, through the shedding of His blood!

As we meditate on the miracle of His birth, I can’t help but marvel at the miracle of our new birth, the greatest gift: that through faith in Christ, the most unlikely of hearts continue to be brought into the family of God.  There is room in His family for you and for me. Our stories, our differences, our backgrounds, choices, and shortcomings – all of it – can be redeemed and woven into the story and showcase of His divine grace.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)