This episode looking into Jesus’ family history was recorded just after Thanksgiving, a holiday known for family gatherings. You may find it of some comfort as John Hilley describes the messiness in the family history of Jesus. But no matter how messy the human story is, no matter how messy your family is, no matter how messy your life is, this Immanuel Child we welcome at Christmas has come to claim us. That we are no longer defined by the messiness in our lives, but by the one who writes our names into the branches of the family tree of the Immanuel Child - God with us - is good news.

For music, Nate will play a great new song by Spencer Lajoye entitled "Plowshare Prayer".