The Christmas Covenant Made

2 Samuel 7:1-17

One of the overlooked aspects of Christmas is that the birth of Jesus Christ is not only a gift or a promise, but part of God's covenant with us. What is the difference between a gift or promise and a covenant? There are at least a few, but for the purposes of this sermon series, we will focus on one. A promise is something that is freely given with no sense of obligation from the recipient. A covenant, however, is something that implies some kind of an agreement or obligation; with a covenant, there is an associated cost. When we reduce Christmas to merely a promise, we overlook the cost. As a result, we can cheapen the value of the birth of Jesus Christ.

We will unpack all of this by looking at one of the earliest expressions of the Christmas covenant in the covenant that God made with David. In this covenant, God makes it a point to remind David of his humble origins. Moreover, God makes this covenant with David despite knowing his future failures (e.g., with Bathsheba, Absalom). David does not deserve to be a recipient of this covenant. All of this cements the concept of predestination, which was mentioned last week: God saves those who are undeserving, based solely on his grace and not on anything in us.

In the following weeks, we will see how this same Christmas Covenant was challenged and broken yet fulfilled because our God is the faithful covenant keeper!

Questions

1. What difference does it make to see Christmas as part of a covenant rather than a gift or promise? How can this make a healthy impact on our relationship with God? 

2. Although David wanted to build a house for God, the passage makes it a point that God is the one who initiated the covenant with David. God reminds David of his humble beginnings. Share with one another what your life was like before trusting in and submitting to the gospel of Jesus Christ.