“And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS.”

Matthew’s Gospel takes us through Jesus’ family tree because genealogy was an important topic among ancient Jews. Every male descendant of King David was considered a potential messiah. By recounting Jesus’ ancestry, Matthew was affirming Jesus' claim to being the Messiah.

The study of genealogy remains a popular pursuit today. In fact, a single Internet site, MyFamily.com, has over 850,000 paid subscribers. One of my relatives used the Internet to trace our family roots back to the 1300s.

Another relative used the Internet to find long-lost relatives, which led to a family reunion attended by more than 600 people. At that reunion, I was struck by the variation in physical appearance and personality types within the family tree. What did we all have in common, I wondered.

The answer was provided by a researcher, who published for the first time the complete genetic sequence of a single person, including the DNA inherited from both parents - - both sides of the family tree. That research revealed human-to-human variation is five to seven-fold greater than earlier estimates. We are more unique at the individual genetic level than previously thought possible.

As King David said in Psalm 139:14, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Our genetic code is God’s instruction manual, His way of preparing each of us for our unique mission in life.

Our bodies consist of over 50 billion cells; most of them function only a few weeks before dying and being replaced; and, yet we remain one and the same over time. Our mission in life never changes.

However, there is one goal in life that we all share in common, a duty made clear as we reflect on our genetic code, the gift of our forebears. We all have a sacred duty to act as good stewards of the land - - to pass onto to future generations the quality of life that we received as a gift from our ancestors.

Our way of life is increasingly threatened by the rise in global warming and the opposing environmental trend toward global dimming. No matter which trend prevails, humankind stands to lose.

As stewards of the land, we can take an active role in reducing pollution through simple household measures. For example, the average two-person household produces 41,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. That same household can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,300 pounds or better than 10 percent by:

1. •By adjusting the temperature setting on the furnace and air conditioner by one degree,
   

1. • Replacing 10 standard light bulbs with energy efficient ones and
   

2. •Recycling papers, plastics, cans and bottles.
   

Far greater savings are possible with other measures such as energy efficient cars and appliances and proper home insulation.

To calculate the pollution savings your household can achieve, use the Environmental Protection Agency’s calculator at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.