An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Matthew 1:1,2
Matthew wrote his gospel to convince the Jews that indeed Jesus of Nazareth was a legitimate Messiah. He began his gospel by reciting Jesus' pedigree. He went back forty generations to Abraham to begin Jesus' genealogy. The number forty is significant. In biblical writing, the time of preparation is always represented by forty days, years, or generations. The details of the family tree were not as important to the evangelist as was the quality of his pedigree.
You may not have an interest in researching the details of your genealogy, but it is important that you have some notion of your roots, particularly your spiritual roots. The ancient Hebrews often recited the history of their people. Stephen, just before he was stoned to death, recited that history. Biblical scholars refer to such a collection of stories as our Heilsgeshichte or Salvation History.
As Christians, it is important that we recite our Heilsgeshichte to each other and particularly to our children. For example, many of our ancestors were persecuted and even executed during the 16th century because they practiced the Anabaptist faith. This persecution took place at the hands of the Church/State in Switzerland, and later in Germany. That is the reason the Quakers, Brethren, Mennonites, and Amish have traditionally supported the concept of Separation of Church and State.
I gave you but one example of how our current faith and practices are rooted in the traditions and faith of that great Cloud of Witnesses who went before us. If they were willing to die for certain causes, it behooves us to at least remember their stories. What is the quality of the pedigree from which you and I sprang? Remember to tell your stories and the stories of your ancestors to each other and to your children. That is how we keep the Incarnation fresh in each generation.