Every family tree has stories that are shared from one generation to the next. They can be stories that are funny, or sad, or exciting or ones that we hope no one ever hears. Either way, we don't get to choose our family; they are God's gift to us. Jesus had an interesting family tree. Not only did he lay claim to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, but also to Ruth, Rahab, and Bathsheba. Likewise, we learn from the Christmas story about John the Baptist and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, all part of the family tree of the Messiah. This Advent season, we will be looking at the family tree of Jesus and discover that Jesus' family, believe it or not, is not too different from our own.