Matthew’s list of the genealogy of Jesus (see Matthew 1:1-16) does something uncommon in the Ancient Near East: he includes the names of five women in Jesus’ ancestry. Here they are: Tamar (Genesis 38:6-26), Rahab (Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25; Hebrews 11:31), Ruth (the book of Ruth), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27), and Mary (Jesus’ mother). As you think about Jesus, the God-Man, entering the world for the purpose of dying for the sin of humanity, also think about these five incredible women of faith. From their inclusion in the line of Christ, we see that anyone can take a step of faith, and God will honor it. We see God bringing good out of the harshest of circumstances. And we see Mary, a virgin, willing to accept pregnancy with the baby Jesus without regard to the consequences it might have. Christmas reminds us of the great depths of the love of God for all people!