Today’s readings might not seem dramatic at first glance.
A blessing from Genesis. A long genealogy from Matthew.

But together they tell us something essential about Advent:

God keeps His promises — patiently, steadily, through real history.

In the first reading, Jacob speaks over his sons.
When he comes to Judah, his words stand out:

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah…
until he comes to whom it belongs.”

This is not a vague hope.
It is a royal promise.

From Judah will come a king.
A ruler whose authority is lasting.
A figure to whom the nations will listen.

Advent begins here — not with sentiment, but with promise.
God commits Himself to history.
He ties His plan of salvation to a real people, a real line, a real future.

Then Matthew gives us what many people are tempted to skip:
a genealogy.

Names. Generations. Long stretches of time.

But Matthew is doing something very deliberate.

He is saying: Jesus did not appear suddenly or randomly.
He belongs to this story.
He fulfils these promises.

Notice something important:
this family line is not tidy.

There are saints — and sinners.
Kings — and failures.
Faith — and betrayal.

Yet God does not abandon the story. That is good news indeed.

It tells us that salvation does not depend on a perfect past.
It depends on God’s faithfulness.

Advent reminds us that God works slowly — but surely.

We often want instant results.
Instant holiness.
Instant clarity.

But God saves the way He grows a family tree:
over time,
through patience,
through people who are imperfect but willing.

The genealogy tells us this:
your life is not outside God’s plan,
even if it feels messy or unfinished.

Grace works quietly, generation by generation, heart by heart.

The sceptre promised to Judah finds its fulfilment in Christ.
But notice how this King comes.

Not with armies.
Not with force.
But as a child born into a human family.

His authority is real — but it is the authority of salvation.

He comes not to dominate history, but to redeem it.

As Christmas draws near,
the Church places before us these long views of time.

Promises made. Promises kept.

God does not rush.
God does not forget.
God does not fail.

The King has come.
The sceptre stands.
And salvation has entered the world —
patiently, faithfully, and for us.