fear not

A family was driving home after attending a Wednesday evening Advent service at their church - when all of a sudden the 3 year old daughter loudly proclaimed from her car seat in the back - "I'm afraid of angels!"

After the initial shock of his young daughter's statement, the dad gently asked, "Why are you afraid of angels honey?" She responded, "I'm afraid they'll talk to me."

It's not too surprising after all - since most of the Sunday School stories that lead up to Christmas involve angels that talk to people. Maybe this little girl had good reason to be afraid - because whether it's Joseph or Zechariah or Mary or the Magi, when angels speak in the Christmas story, lives are turned upside down and inside out and nothing is ever the same again.

Maybe our first instinct is to be afraid like the little girl. Especially in times like these. But then we hear what the angel says - and we are comforted and encouraged. Because every time an angel shows up in the New Testament to talk to people, they always begin the same way. Fear not - don't be afraid - it's gonna be okay.

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."

I'm sure Mary had her fears. She was just a humble peasant girl. I'm sure she was afraid. But she also had faith in her God and His promise of a Messiah to come. She trusted Him and His Word - even if it came with the slightly frightful experience of having an angel talk to her. Because it was all part of God's plan, to fulfill his far greater promise to bring into the world a savior from sin and death and hell. This conception, this immaculate conception, is unlike any in all of human history. Because this child is the one Isaiah had foretold - Immanuel, God with us. His name will be Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Just like at the time of Joseph and Mary, this is a fallen and broken world where we have to deal with difficult things like sin and suffering, pain and death. But also like Joseph and Mary, we have God's Word and His promise in the midst of all the trouble and turmoil and turbulence. We have the promise spoken by Isaiah, and repeated by the angel, which isn't just good news for them alone, but good news for all people. And very good news for those who celebrate Christmas in heaven this year.

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they will call his name Immanuel." The promise stands sure and true, even when the Christmas season comes with pain and suffering and loss. In such times perhaps the promise stands even more sure and true for us. For in such times we take to heart what it means for us and for all the world, that the Son of God came into this world as a little baby boy in order to be our Savior and our Lord - Immanuel - God with us. His name is Jesus - for he will save his people from their sins.

He is the One who led a perfect life for us, who was crucified on the cross for us, and who rose from the dead on the third day for us, to bring forgiveness and salvation and new life to all who believe. He came to give His life for us and for all those whom we love. He comes to us even now through His Word and through His people to bring us comfort and hope, life and forgiveness, peace and joy. He is the Way and the Truth - the Resurrection and the Life - our Risen and Living Lord and Savior - who has loved us with an infinite and intimate love - and whose amazing grace and tender mercies last forever.  

So fear not. Don't be afraid. God loves you. Jesus forgives you. Your sins have been forgiven. He offers to you eternal salvation - an everlasting inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade. So no matter what, you have peace with God, you are His people, God is on your side. You need not be afraid of anything anymore. Not even angels.

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

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