Psalm 89: 1-5

As we step into the Christmas season at Rocky Valley, I’m reminded that the story of Christmas doesn’t begin in Bethlehem. It begins long before, in the promises of a faithful God who keeps His word even when His people can’t see how He’s working.

Psalm 89 opens with a bold declaration:

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever… Your faithfulness to all generations.”

That’s a powerful choice of words when you remember when this psalm was written. Israel wasn’t living in easy days. Their kingdom had fallen, their walls were broken, their king was defeated, and the covenant God made with David seemed to be hanging by a thread. It looked like every promise had failed.

But here’s what Ethan the Ezrahite understood:

Our circumstances may change, but the character of our God does not.

So he chooses to sing.

Not because life was perfect, but because God was still faithful.

And that’s where Christmas speaks so deeply.

For 600 years, the Davidic throne sat empty. The promise God made in 2 Samuel seemed impossible. Yet God wasn’t late — He was preparing. At the very moment hope seemed lost, a cry broke through the silence of Bethlehem. A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes… the Son of David, the Root of Jesse, the King who would finally sit on an everlasting throne.

Christmas is God saying:

“I have not forgotten. I always keep My word.”

The manger is proof that God finishes what He starts.

The cross is proof that His mercy reaches farther than our failures.

The empty tomb is proof that His faithfulness outlasts every generation.

And the promise of His return reminds us that the best is still ahead.

So as we enter this season:

🎶 Let’s sing of His mercies.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Let’s proclaim His faithfulness to the next generation.

🙏 Let’s stand on His promises even when life feels uncertain.

🎄 And let’s remember that Christmas isn’t just a story of the past—

it’s the guarantee of our hope for the future.

God kept His promise at Bethlehem.

He’ll keep His promises to you today.