10 years ago — January 19, 2009
“Some convergences of timing … reflect little more than a coincidence. That an African-American would be inaugurated as the president of the United States just 23 days before the 200th birthday of the president who proclaimed emancipation for African-Americans is just such a coincidence.” The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies chose “A New Birth of Freedom” as its theme. “Those words came from the Gettysburg address, wherein Abraham Lincoln expressed hope that the sacrifices of those who died to preserve the union shall lead to ‘a new birth of freedom’ for America.” Just as Lincoln selected rivals to be part of his cabinet so too has the president-elect. The hope is that out of the varying points of view will derive direction for our nation. In the church we too need to hear the variety of viewpoints. It is our Lord who brought us together into this family. The hope for the new year is that we can hear and appreciate the variety of viewpoints as we strive to be “the family God designed us to be.”
From “A family of rivals,” an editorial by Jack Haberer
