Fear Not!
Wednesday, December 22
Fear Not!
Then the angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10
Christmas is said to be the most wonderful time of the year. But this is not true for everyone. For some, Christmas can be the hardest time of the year. In fact, some people fear the Christmas season. Perhaps it’s the first Christmas after the death of a loved one. Maybe there are financial pressures made worse by Christmas bills. Or if you are single and without friends or family nearby, Christmas can be a very lonely time.
There was fear at the very first Christmas. Zacharias and Elizabeth feared never having a child (Luke 1:13). Mary feared the future and becoming a new bride (Luke 1:30). And the shepherds were warned not to travel back after finding the Messiah. The Christmas message to them is the same message to us: “Fear not. This is a season of good news and great joy! A Savior has been born who is Christ, the Lord of all.” There is no fearful circumstance that cannot be defused by the reality of the Christmas presence of Christ and His Spirit.
Whatever your circumstances this Christmas, let joy and celebration be your theme. Trust that the God of the first Christmas is the God of your Christmas as well.