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The Promise of a King: Tracing the Old Testament’s Road to Christmas
Scott Smith
December 18, 2024
The Christmas story does not begin in a manger in Bethlehem but rather in the unfolding promises of the Old Testament. These ancient texts, rich with prophecy, covenant, and hope, reveal a story that crescendos with the arrival of Christ. While the New Testament proclaims His birth, life, death, and resurrection, the Christmas Story rests upon the foundation of the Old Testament’s grand narrative. This is the story of God’s faithful work through centuries, culminating in the birth of the King who would reign forever.
A King from David's Line: The Promise of 2 Samuel 7
The hope of Christmas is anchored in God’s covenant with King David. God promises:
“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
At first glance, this seems fulfilled by Solomon, who built the physical Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6). Yet the promise of an eternal throne extends far beyond Solomon. While Solomon’s reign and temple were temporary, they prefigured something far greater. Jesus, the true Son of David, fulfills this covenant in its fullest sense. He declares:
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” referring to His body as the ultimate dwelling place of God.
 | Archaeological discoveries like the Tel Dan Stele, which refers to the "House of David," affirm the historicity of David’s lineage. Yet the promise of an eternal king is not merely historical; it is theological. Jesus establishes the spiritual house of God—the Church—where His Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). At Christmas, the eternal King promised to David is born. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary: |
“The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end”
Bethlehem: The City of Humble Beginnings
The significance of Bethlehem as Jesus’ birthplace reflects both prophecy and humility. It is the city where David was anointed as king (1 Samuel 16) and where the prophet Micah foretold the Messiah’s birth:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel”
In many ways, Bethlehem was an insignificant village, yet its theological significance is immense. It demonstrates God’s pattern of choosing the humble to accomplish His purposes. Jesus, born in a stable, fulfills the Davidic promise not through worldly power but through divine humility—a King born to serve and to save.
The Prophetic Expectation: Light Breaking into Darkness
The prophets of Israel often spoke of a coming deliverer who would bring light to a darkened world. Isaiah proclaims:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone”
This promise was given during a time of political and spiritual turmoil, when the Assyrian empire loomed over Israel. The imagery of light breaking into darkness carried profound hope for a future when God would act decisively to save His people.
This prophetic theme reaches its climax in the New Testament. At Jesus’ birth, the shepherds in the fields witnessed this light as God’s glory shone around them (Luke 2:9). Later, Simeon declared the infant Jesus to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32).
 | This prophetic theme reaches its climax in the New Testament. At Jesus’ birth, the shepherds in the fields witnessed this light as God’s glory shone around them (Luke 2:9). Later, Simeon declared the infant Jesus to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Archaeological finds like the Sennacherib Prism, which records Assyrian military campaigns, highlight the historical backdrop of Isaiah’s prophecies. These artifacts deepen our appreciation for the hope and courage Isaiah’s words offered to a people threatened by powerful empires. |
The Seed of the Woman: A Promise as Old as Eden
The first whisper of the Christmas story is found in Genesis 3:15, where God promises that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. This foundational prophecy establishes the trajectory of Scripture, narrowing through the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3) and Davidic lineage, culminating in Christ.
The genealogies in Matthew and Luke make this explicit, tracing Jesus’ lineage back to both Abraham and Adam. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise made in Eden, the seed who would defeat sin and Satan, bringing redemption to all creation.
Jesus as the Tabernacle: God Dwelling with Us
The Tabernacle and later the Temple were the centers of Israel’s worship, signifying God’s presence among His people (Exodus 25:8). However, these structures pointed to a greater reality: the incarnation of Christ.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The Greek word for “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” At Christmas, God’s presence is no longer confined to a building but takes on flesh, dwelling with His people. Jesus fulfills the purpose of the Temple, becoming the meeting place between God and humanity.
The Universal Scope of the Davidic Promise
God’s covenant with David is not limited to Israel. The Psalms declare:
“May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!”
Isaiah echoes this vision, describing the Messiah as a “signal for the peoples” (Isaiah 11:10). At Jesus’ birth, the visit of the magi from the East foreshadows the global reach of His reign. The King born in Bethlehem is not only Israel’s Messiah but the Savior of the world.
The Humility of the King
The birth of Christ overturns expectations of kingship. While earthly rulers flaunt power and wealth, Jesus is born in a manger, announced to shepherds. This humility reflects the heart of His mission. David’s shepherd origins foreshadow the true Shepherd-King who would lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:11).
Zechariah captures this paradox of humility and majesty:
“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey”
At Christmas, the King of kings comes not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45).
Conclusion: The Road to the Manger
Christmas is the culmination of the Old Testament’s promises. From the seed of the woman in Genesis to the Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel, from the prophetic hope of Isaiah to the humble city of Bethlehem, every thread of Scripture weaves together to point to Christ.
At the heart of Christmas is the faithfulness of God. The King has come, the light has dawned, and the promises are fulfilled. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that this is not the beginning but the continuation of God’s redemptive plan—a story that begins in the Old Testament and reaches its glorious fulfillment in Christ.
Let us look to Christmas with awe, rejoicing in the One who is the true and eternal King, the fulfillment of every promise, and the light that shines in the darkness.
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