Matthew and Sarah begat Matthew II.

Matthew II and Mary begat Richard.

Richard and Ann begat Adolphus.

Adolphus and Amelia begat Elmer.

Elmer and Ada begat Roger.

Roger and Elinor begat ME!

This is the account of my family line.
These were real people who lived real lives in the real world.

I love Herman’s mustache and Margaret’s no-nonsense look.
I like the twinkle in John’s eyes and Elizabeth’s fancy hat.

If one of these couples had not met and married,
the whole family tree would come tumbling down.

For example, in the mid 1800’s in Cornwall, England, Matthew and Mary took their 9 children to the beach for a Sunday picnic. As it happened, James and Betsy and their 14 children were also at the beach that day. Out of that chance meeting on the rocky shores of Cornwall, four of Matthew and Mary’s kids married four of James and Betsy’s kids.

Just think, if Richard or Ann hadn’t felt like going to the beach that day, Ann would never have fallen for Richard’s wavy hair and Richard wouldn’t have noticed Ann’s dark, mysterious eyes.

Maybe my love for family trees is the reason why I never skip the genealogy chapters in the Bible. Genesis 5:1 says, “This is the written account of Adam’s line.”

Adam begat Seth, who begat Enosh, who begat Kenan, who begat Mahalalel, who begat Jared, who begat Enoch, who begat Methuselah, who begat Lamech who begat Noah. This may seem like a yawner, but there is treasure galore in this chapter.

These were real people who lived real lives in the real world.
This line of begats would one day lead to Jesus—
the snake head-crusher,
the only begotten Son,
the second Adam,
the Messiah.