By David Ely serving in Larnaca, Cyprus
Read Psalm 72
When the Son of David comes, when he takes his throne, it’ll be like when the morning dew mixes with the smell of mown grass. We, the righteous, will finally flourish. The rebels against God will lick the dust, and the saints’ precious blood will be answered by a rod of iron. The people of God will take root and will bear fruit. The land will answer in kind so that the mountains wave with grain and the cows are fat with calves. And singing will echo once more as joy blossoms in the cities.
When the Son of David comes, he will make his blessings flow, as far as the curse is found.
Oh, may the kings of the earth bring their gold to him! May their tribute flow!
‘And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.’ (Matthew 2:11)
May his dominion be established, and may it stretch from sea-to-sea.
‘And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:18-20a)
At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of this king, Jesus, the Christ. We celebrate because he has come, because his reign has begun, and because his reign is altogether good.
As you eat and unwrap and joke abundantly – as is fitting – this Christmas, remember what our hope is: that the joy of Christmas will spread from the river to the ends of the earth, as the nations bow before Christ.
(Bonus: Listen to Psalm 72 sung by Brian Sauvé)