The historical significance of this coming Monday may be lost on many, but on Monday, January 21, 2013, events and symbols that speak volumes about the African American experience in the United States will merge.
One hundred years ago this month, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed bringing freedom to a select few of the thousands of black people who were slaves. Fifty years ago this year, thousands marched on Washington bringing the plight of the poor and the black to the seat of the nation's power. It was at the legendary March on Washington that a speech about character, freedom, and the power of a dream seared the nation's conscience causing the "walls" of discrimination and racial cruelty to come down. This coming Monday will be the official day for the celebration of the birthday of civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. whose birthday has been a federal holiday for fifteen years. Finally, Monday, January 21, 2013 will be the icing on the cake of a weekend of gala affairs that will culminate in the inauguration of President Barack Obama as he begins his second term in the office of president www.abclocal.go.com/wabc/story/Chelsea-Clinto-headlines-weekend-inaugural-events.
"Faith in the future of America" is the official theme of the inauguration, and although it may be low-key when compared to the first inauguration, it will still be a tear jerker for many as they watch what was once thought impossible take place for a second time.
The president has chosen to be sworn in using several different Bibles. The family Bible that belonged to his wife's father, the travelling Bible used by Dr. King, and the Bible of President Abraham Lincoln will be used at the swearing in ceremony. The symbolism of these three choices remind us of how far we have come, but they also remind us of the sacrifice that freedom cost those who are willing to confront a wrong and try to right it www.ksat.com/news/politics/Obama-to-swear-in-on-stack-of-historic-Bibles.
The inauguration of the forty-fifth president will be memorable; our prayer is that the use of three Bible is more substance than appearance. The president has played fast and loose with a lot of the principles found in those three books. Let's pray his second term will find him faithful to them.
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