Jesus is, Matthew 1:1 tells us, the son of Abraham and the son of David. David is another Christmas word. An important one.

The promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 was that someone in the line of David would always sit on the throne, and it is here that Christmas gets connected to David. Christmas is about the incarnation and the birth of the Son of David who is Messiah and the one who both reigns and will reign.

Celebrating Christmas is thus an act of faith and an act of hope. Why say this?

First, it is an act of faith that Jesus Christ, who was crucified and raised and exalted to the right hand of God, now reigns for we do not always see that reign. We believe Jesus reigns.

Second, it is an act of hope that Jesus Christ will come again to reign, to establish God’s kingdom in its fullness. We look for that day.

In light of this faith and hope, today we exalt Jesus as king by confessing him and living for the Son of David.