If there is one thing I could say to all of my beloved family and friends, and to those of you who I am sure would be kindred spirits if we met, it would be this, “Fear not!”
We are leaving a year that has not been like any other and we are preparing to enter a new one that is full of unknowns yet to come. But first, we are about to celebrate Christmas. We stop and remember. We go to Bethlehem and see the birth of this Savior who is Christ the King.
Luke tells us that in the time of Christ’s birth, Caesar Augustus had issued a decree. Sound familiar? People had to stop their lives and make provisions to be registered in their towns of origin. Easy for a powerful Caesar, not so easy for a backwoods carpenter and his very young and very pregnant wife. So many unknowns, so many unpredictables, and many opportunities to be afraid. How many times have I said this year, I didn’t see this coming or what if this is our new normal?
Mary and Joseph were just doing what needed to be done, trying to remain faithful all the while. They did not know that they had just set out on the adventure of their lives. Nothing would ever be the same. Changes were coming, things like salvation for sinners and hope for Israel and all nations. This young couple kept on going without the knowledge that you and I have so many years into the future. They did not know that everything would work out for their good. They were fueled by faith. They believed in what they could not see; they trusted the Word of God.
The Word of God came to more than just Mary and Joseph that year, it also came to some tired, overworked shepherds in a field at night. The words of God broke into these men’s lives, right where they were, to bring them a message they desperately needed, fear not!
Our fears are so misplaced. We fear men, mandates, criminals, loss, the future. The list is as long as our own overgrown anxieties. How often does God make the typical list of fears? Not often. We do not understand God; we have not remembered who He is and why He came.
God knows we do not know Him as we ought. Isaiah describes Him as “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6) He also knows our weaknesses and sins and fears. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” I am sure the shepherds were not up on their theology and had their own list of fears. But, when they saw the glory of God their fears began to be placed in the correct category. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
God tells them, “Fear not!” Why? God had a message for them that would obliterate all of their fears. Do you need this right now? I know that I do! God wanted to replace their fear with joy, great joy! The nightly news hadn’t told them this, their facebook feed and the latest statement from the Governor hadn’t told them this, God did.
God tells us, “Fear not!” You have a Savior who has come! Glory to God and peace to you, for He is pleased with you! For those of us that have believed in God’s only begotten Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, we need to be told again, fear not. We need to raise our eyes to the heavens and see and hear and declare the glory of God in Christ! We need to take hold of the truth that there is peace for all whom God is pleased with. God is pleased in His Son Jesus and so He is pleased with all who are in Him. Hallelujah! And this Savior is for those who have yet to believe. We who believe invite you, come and see this Christ!
So, what did the shepherds do? They talked about what God had told them, they shared in their joy with one another and they did not refrain from praising and glorifying God. Their fears had been changed. No longer did they fear men or Governors or the future. They knew Who was in control and what He was doing - saving them!
Mary, who had a front row seat to all of this had a different response, one that is just as valid and needed. She treasured all that she had seen and heard in her own heart. How wonderful to read and remember all the faithfulness of God to His people! How our own hearts and minds would become peaceful, would be at rest, if we imitated Mary. How strong would we become in our own faith and how joyful would our own countenance be if we too were to treasure and ponder the mighty acts of God on our behalf? We too should not fear and we too should sit and be in awe of all that God has done.
So, fear not! Rejoice! Glorify God with one another! Stop and slow down and remember all that Christ has done. Treasure Christ in your hearts and trade your fears for peace. Hold fast to all that is good, turn away from evil - the evil in our own hearts and in the world, and remember that He who has called you is faithful. Before the old year ends and the new one begins, remember to have a Merry Christmas.
Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace Toward Men!
~ Your Fellow Sojourner
