There are probably more than a few priests who shudder at the thought of having to read aloud today’s Gospel reading.

A seemingly endless list of hard-to-pronounce names like Amminadab, Shealtiel, and Zerubbabel, would give anyone – biblical scholar or not – a moment for pause.

Tracing the 14 generations that preceded Christ is not simply a nudge that we should all go to Ancestry.com or 23andMe and see how far back we can trace the roots of our own family trees. It is so much more. It is a reminder of the importance of our own family – past, present, and future – and who we are, and who we choose to be.

A few weeks ago, in the U.S., we celebrated Thanksgiving, one of the most family-centric holidays on the calendar. For many, those gatherings were hopefully delightful. For others, maybe not as much.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and his family, let us continue to focus on our own families and the gifts (those not wrapped with a bow on top) we receive from them, as well as those, (again not wrapped with a bow on top) we give to them.

As we gather at Christmas, let us look for Christ’s love radiating from members of our family and reciprocate in-kind, extending love even to those with whom we don’t agree politically, or who never seem to host a family dinner, or even bring a dish to the Christmas table.

Extending unconditional love to all members of our family might be the best gift we could give to Jesus on his birthday.

To not judge their faults or idiosyncrasies but listen to their thoughts and display patience for their opinions; to extend compassion and kindness to those who may carry unseen burdens; to shower interest and affection even on those who test our patience or may be unable to reciprocate that affection… Love them anyway, with a love that knows no end.

In doing so, through our words and through our actions, we demonstrate to Christ that we have heard his messages from the Gospels reading, and the parables he has taught have not been lost on us. We have learned that the greatest gift we can give is to love one another without measure.

For even among family – especially among family – walking with Christ means walking like Christ.

Merry Christmas. May you experience and share the love of Christ this holy season.