When life feels chaotic, uncertain, or out of control, one of the deepest questions we wrestle with is simple but searching: Who is really in charge? We live in a world where authority is constantly challenged, leadership is often disappointing, and promises are frequently broken. It is easy to feel forgotten, overlooked, or even abandoned when circumstances do not unfold the way we expected. Yet Luke 1 draws our attention back to a foundational truth that anchors every generation of believers. God has not stepped off His throne, and His plan has not stalled.
Luke chapter 1 records the angel’s announcement to Mary, a moment filled with wonder, fear, and divine promise. What unfolds is not just the announcement of a baby, but the declaration of a King. This child would not merely enter the world quietly and fade into history. He would fulfill ancient promises, reign with divine authority, and establish a kingdom that would never end. In a season often focused on sentiment and nostalgia, Scripture reminds us that Christmas is about sovereignty. God still sits on the throne.
1. The Promise of His Reign
From the very beginning of Scripture, God made it clear that a King was coming. Christmas did not begin in Bethlehem. It began in the promises of God spoken centuries earlier. The angel told Mary that her son would sit on the throne of David and reign forever. This was not a new idea, but the continuation of a promise God had been faithfully revealing throughout history.
God promised that a ruler would come from the line of David whose kingdom would never end. Humanly speaking, that promise seemed impossible. Kings died, dynasties collapsed, and even David’s line appeared broken by curse and failure. Yet God proved once again that what is impossible with man is possible with Him. Jesus alone could fulfill the promise, born of Mary from David’s line and legally adopted by Joseph from the royal line, without inheriting the curse.
The birth of Christ shows us that God always keeps His word. When we feel forgotten or tempted to believe God has failed us, Luke 1 reminds us otherwise. God fulfills every promise at exactly the right time. The manger stands as proof that God’s word never returns void.
2. The Power of His Reign
Jesus did not come only to fulfill prophecy. He came with authority. Even as a newborn, His kingship was recognized. The wise men did not ask where the baby was. They asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” His birth announced power, not weakness, and authority, not fragility.
Though Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, He was no ordinary child. Herod understood this, which is why he felt threatened. Earthly kings fear losing control, but Christ’s authority cannot be challenged or overturned. He is King by right, not by force.
When Jesus reigns, everything changes. He brings peace where fear once ruled. He brings light where darkness dominated. He brings hope where despair had taken root. His kingdom is not marked by chaos or confusion, but by order, truth, and redemption. This King does not rule harshly, but perfectly.
3. The Personal Call of His Reign
While it is easy to celebrate Jesus as King in theory, the more difficult question is personal. Who is in charge of your life? Jesus Himself asked, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Acknowledging His authority with our words is not the same as submitting to it with our lives.
When we place ourselves on the throne, we become poor rulers. We react based on feelings, defend our own preferences, and often blame others when things fall apart. Christ does not belong in the passenger seat. He calls us to surrender completely, to place Him firmly in control.
True submission leads to service. When Jesus reigns, we serve Him gladly, not reluctantly. Our obedience flows from love, not obligation. And when He reigns, we share Him freely. A King this good is worth telling others about. He welcomes all who come to Him and turns no one away.
4. The Eternal Stability of His Throne
The angel’s words to Mary concluded with a powerful declaration: “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:33). Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but Christ’s reign is unshakable. His throne is not threatened by time, opposition, or human failure.
This truth brings comfort and conviction. Comfort, because our lives are secure in the hands of an unchanging King. Conviction, because we must honestly evaluate whether we are allowing Him to rule. God does not demand perfection, but He does call for humility, obedience, and a surrendered heart.
Reflection Question:If your decisions from this past week were put on display, would they show that Jesus truly sits on the throne of your life, or is it time to surrender control and let Him reign again?