As we understand that the gravity of promise depends on an agent who makes a promise and a committed time, I can think of a godly promise inaugurated by our God. From the beginning of creation, God promised, “I will be a father to you, and you shall be my people.” Although human beings are often unfaithful, God has not abandoned his promise at all. Rather, he has strengthened and completed it by sending his only Son to be one of us. This is the promise in which we find unfailing hope with the meaning of life. So we long for the fulfillment of the promise in the birth of the Son of God on Christmas.
If we look forward to watching and even making a serious effort to go to Washington DC to witness the inauguration of the president of United States, don’t we have to make more efforts to witness the inauguration of the King of kings on Christmas? If the president-elect takes an oath putting his hand on a bible for a four-year term, what about the Son of God’s eternal promise to be with us? Are we not aware of “the new birth of freedom” that has already been longer than 2000 years? In many human promises, I see most are limited in space and time as well as human weakness; most are so humane that it is not worth putting all our hope. The only promise I will take is coming from God who doesn’t need to put his hand on a bible but just say, “I will.” There is nothing like God’s promise through the living Word of God. And I will rather strive to go to the true inauguration on Christmas with humility because I am cordially invited although I am not worthy to be there to witness the birth of the savior of the world. So the Church asks the faithful who want to go to the inauguration to prepare themselves by confessing their sins to be forgiven beforehand which would be the ticket for the ceremony. Wouldn’t it be so beautiful to see many people who reconcile with God, neighbor and themselves eagerly long for and go to the most historical event of humanity on December 25, 2008?
The promise has been announced and it will be fulfilled in the nativity of the Lord.
I hope you to be there.