We had a visitor who expressed his opinions over world events and his emotional state concerned us. As he continued to pour out his heart, I prayed, “Lord, give us wisdom. Help us with the proper response.” I realized he did not need nor was he interested in our response. He just needed someone to listen. We heard great fear in his words. The fear we see in the world today is not so far from the fear experienced at the time of the first Christmas!
Billy and Ruth Graham wrote the following about fear at the time of Christ’s birth, “The Romans feared rebellion and their subjects feared Rome’s power. The Sadducees feared the Pharisees, and they both were suspect of the publicans. The hearts of people everywhere were filled with suspicion, fear, and distrust.”₁
On four different occasions in the Christmas story an angel said, “Do not be afraid.”
When the aged, Zachariah learned he would be the father to the forerunner of the Messiah he was troubled and fear fell upon him. The angel of the Lord said, “Do not be afraid, Zachariah” (Luke 1:13)
Mary was greatly troubled by the words of Gabriel the angel when she was told she would give a virgin birth to a baby boy – the Messiah. “Do not be afraid, Mary.” (Luke 1:30).
After Joseph learned his betrothed Mary was pregnant an angel appeared to him in a dream. “Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 1:20).
And after Christ was born, a group of shepherds were tending to their flocks when an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were terrified! “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10 – 11)
The Christmas story is a needed reminder for our world today, “Do not be afraid.” In Christ we have peace.
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
Originally written for Immanuel Baptist Church 2016
Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash
₁As written in “This Christmas Night: Reflections from Our Hearts to Your Home” by Billy and Ruth Graham From Decision, December 1984, “The Peace of Christmas”