Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 -
[2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 and Luke 1: 67-79]"The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will riase up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever." [2 Samuel] "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David....." [Luke]
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 CHRISTMAS EVE
A sad expression has it: "Promises are made to be broken." God's promises do not fit that expression. The scriptures for this day focus on the promise made to King David through the prophet Nathan. This promise was well known to the Jewish people and the gospels, especially Matthew and Luke, are intentional in pointing out how Jesus is descended from David and is the fulfillment of God's promise to David!
It is easy to focus on the fulfillment of a promise and forget who made the promise, but we know that when someone does keep a promise it strengthens our trust in that person. This can make it difficult at times to say the words, "I promise...." because we fear the loss of trust. Yet, the most intimate bonds are based on a promise, such as marriage. The conception and nurture of a child is a promise to that child. In our patriotic moments, we speak of the U.S.A. as "the land of promise." And, today, as many look forward to opening gifts tomorrow, those presents seem to speak to us of promise.
In viewing the nativity scene, we see a child who represents the fidelity of God to an ancient promise, but also a child who will make promises to us as well. His promise will be eternal life for those who believe in him. How good is our promise to him, which we make in baptism? It is a comforting thought to know that one of Jesus' promises is mercy to those who break their promises to him! But, on this Christmas Eve, as we gather to celebrate the fulfillment of God's promise to David and to us, perhaps we can renew our own promise to be faithful in return! AMEN