Roots. Depending on where you are from geographically, you might pronounce the word with the vowel sounding like it does in the word put. If you look the word up in Merriam-Webster, either pronunciation is acceptable. When talking about roots, we could be talking about the part of the plant that goes deep into the ground, anchoring and stabilizing the plant. We could be talking about the roots of your teeth which provide a similar function as a plant. Maybe we are talking about something that concerns many ladies – the color of the roots of their hair. A root could be the source of something: The root of the problem.
Today is National Roots Day. It’s a day to celebrate your heritage, the roots that established and stabilized you as a family. Go to a family reunion and you will see where you got your hair roots. And these family roots could also be the root of many of your problems!
Maybe this seems strange to have a celebration like this in December when family reunions are typically a summer thing. But think about this. Christmas is a time when families get together. You’ll see aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. There will be in-laws. There will be parents, grandparents, and possibly great grandparents.
This will be a time of stories. Technically, this is called oral traditions where the past is shared with the present. Technology has made it easier than ever to record these generational meetings, so you don’t have to focus on writing every syllable. You can just listen and when everyone has gone home, start compiling the recordings into digital form.
These gatherings are a great opportunity to share pictures. Unknown subjects, locations,
and events can be identified. Family trees can be filled in. Burning questions and curiosities can be satisfied. We can do more than just feast on food. We can feast on family.
I’m sure Jesus would enjoy gatherings that explore the family roots. He shared His own family tree in Matthew 1:1-17. Consider some of the most neglected pieces of Scripture! “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (2) Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; (3) And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram … (16) And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (17) So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”
While genealogies may not be riveting reading, they are important – so important that there are many throughout the Scriptures. If we remember, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture (that includes genealogies) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” In other words, the family trees aren’t just to be read; they are to be taught, preached from the pulpits because they are profitable.
Once you finish reading this devotional, I would encourage you to go through this passage in Matthew 1. Look for the names you recognize and jot down the importance of that character. Notice the names of the women mentioned in the genealogy. Why are they there? Who were they? How would you describe their character? How did they make it into the family tree of Jesus?
When you finish the one in Matthew, you can always jump to the one in Luke and begin 
another study on the roots of Jesus. Enjoy this National Roots Day.
Luke 3:23-38 – “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, (24) Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph … Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, (38) Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.”
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