The Christ of Christmas

Beginning in 1932, citizens of the United Kingdom tuned their radios (and, since 1957, their televisions) each December 25 to hear “His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech” or the “Royal Christmas Broadcast.” Some have been inspiring and rich with biblical truth, others less so. But it is a standing tradition for the King, or the Queen, to deliver a personal message of hope and encouragement to their subjects at Christmas.

You might consider Psalm 2:7–9 the very first Royal Christmas Broadcast: the King himself is now speaking. As the world rises against him, he remains confident because of the covenant God made with David back in 2 Samuel 7: “I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel (7–9).’” God has promised to use the sons of David to bring the raging nations into line for his glory.

This is why God’s people are so confused and discouraged as the New Testament begins. The King still hasn’t shown up! The God-hating nations are still in charge (think about the Roman Caesar ordering little Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem for taxes). Then one day, an angel tells Mary that her baby will rule from David’s throne (Luke 1:32–33)! He won’t just be ‘like’ a son to God; he is God’s Eternal Son, born of a virgin to become one of us. He will be that perfect Psalm 2 king that David failed to be! Of course, everyone expects all that Psalm 2 stuff to immediately start happening: smashing the nations with the iron rod, establishing the worldwide kingdom!

But that’s not what happens at Christmas. God’s Psalm 2 King is born in a stable, and no one notices! Then Herod finds out, and chases the Psalm 2 King to Egypt! What about ruling the nations? When the Psalm 2 King grows up, he preaches about God’s Kingdom, but he’s not swinging any iron rods; he talks about God first setting up his rule in human hearts (Matt 5–7). Finally, the raging nations surround the Psalm 2 King and hang him on a cross. What happened to Psalm 2!? Grace upon grace (John 1:16).

You see, even as God laughs at the rebel nations, he also loves them. He loves us. And while God could just smash us all with a rod of iron for our sins, he would rather be reconciled (2 Cor 5:16–21). So he sent his own Son, the true King, to be smashed with the rod of his justice on the cross in our place. For us. For all of our raging and plotting and rebellion. But then God raised his King from the dead, and declared Jesus to be his Son in power (Rom 1:4)! When Jesus returns to God’s right hand as the rightful King, God keeps that promise to give Jesus the nations as his inheritance (Acts 2:33)!

It starts at Pentecost, when people from all over the world hear about Jesus in their own language, and repent and receive him as Lord. Ever since, King Jesus has been pouring out his Spirit, calling in rebels from the nations to come live under his rule. If you are trusting in Jesus today, that’s how you got saved! One day, Jesus will return to establish his Kingdom forever. John describes this event in Revelation 19 by quoting Psalm 2: he shows us the King riding on a white horse in all his glory. He is swinging the rod of iron, subduing every last enemy, reclaiming his Father’s world. That’s not a King you want to oppose. Have you bowed to this King?

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Article by Eric Smith
Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church