Advent #9 of 10:

The son of David, the son of Abraham

(Matthew 1:1)

It’s from the lineage of David that Jesus receives his title “The Messiah.” “Messiah” means “anointed” as in “The Lord’s Anointed” (Ps 2 & 72). The Greek title “Christ” means the same. So, the Messiah is the Anointed One who fulfills God’s promise to the lineage of David. Christ’s kingdom will be eternal. It will not be won by sword and violence; nor, will it be ruled by domination and exploitation (Jn 18:36). The reign of Christ will be a different kind of kingdom.

As a descendent of Abraham, Jesus fulfills God’s promise that through Abraham “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gn 12:3). Like Abraham, the Christ Child will be for all people. As we sing during Advent (Charles Wes­ley, 1745):

1. Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

2. Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

“Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art.” That’s the Promise that comes from the lineage of Abraham. That’s how we get in on it.