We’ve heard the carols, by this time over and over again. We’ve heard that “Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger” on that “Silent Night,” and we know that “This, this is Christ the King.” And we’ve harkened, listened to the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

So, what should be our response? Well, how did David respond when he first heard the news that his dynasty would last forever, a promise that was eventually fulfilled with the birth of Mary’s baby? His first reaction was not one of pride, but of humility – “Who am I, O Lord?” David knew he didn’t deserve such a promise, such a gift. And if we’ll take an honest look at ourselves, we’ll feel the same way. Even today, how much more interest have we shown in the gifts under the tree than in God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ? Are we any more worthy of God’s blessings than was David?

And yet we can marvel, as David did, not at our own deserving, but at God’s faithfulness to keep His promises (v. 21). God promised Adam and Eve that One born of a woman would crush the head of the serpent, destroying the power of evil forever (Genesis 3:15). God promised Abraham that in one of his descendants, all the families of the earth would one day be blessed (Genesis 12:4). God promised David that his dynasty’s throne would endure forever (II Samuel 7:16).

And God began to keep all these promises in the event we celebrate this day, the birth of Jesus. For in dying on the cross, Jesus has broken the power of sin. In rising from the grave, Jesus has broken the power of death. In ascending into Heaven, the Son of David has assumed royal power and authority, not just over a small Middle-Eastern kingdom, but over everyone and everything God has created. And by His sovereign grace, He has extended His welcome and pardon to all the families of the earth, to everyone who would accept Him as Savior and bow the knee to Him as Lord.

So, what more can we say to any of these things (v. 20)? As David did, today let us simply pause in awe and wonder and amazement. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

II Samuel 7:18-22 (ESV)

18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD!
20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD!
21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.