Do not be afraid!

Luke 2:1-14

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. 4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. 5 He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Food for thought!

Life is not about Advent only; they is life beyond Advent. Life is not about waiting only; it is also about arriving. Life is not only giving; it is also getting. We have been waiting for Christmas, and now Christmas is finally here. As the First Reading puts it,

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined. ...For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Are you still in Advent? Are you always living in Advent, in waiting, in darkness? Are you sitting under some shadow  Do you have any reason to celebrate this Christmas? Is your life a constant night that knows no dawn; is your life lived under the shadow of death. It is to such people like you that the angel makes this announcement: “Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A SAVIOR has just been born in David's town, a SAVIOR who is Messiah and Master.”

Please, note the angel’s words. “I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide.” This everybody includes YOU and ME; it means all people. We are all included in the joy of Christmas. 

I want you to notice that Jesus is called Savior! The angel is not calling Jesus a mere example or a teacher, but a Savior! If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer. If our greatest need had been military, God would have sent a general. If our greatest need had been for justice, God would have sent a judge. But, our greatest need was forgiveness and redemption, and, therefore, God sent a Savior! Yes, Jesus has come to save you.

I know your next question is, saving me from what? FEAR. This is what the angel told the shepherds: Do not fear! Where does fear come from? What causes it? Well, in the Bible fear appears for the first time in Genesis, chapter 3, verse 10. It appears after Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit. They hid from God because they were afraid. A guilty person is always in fear, in fear of being found out, in fear of being punished. 

We all are born guilty; we are guilty people. All of us. And Jesus is Saviour because he comes to free us from guilt. From tonight don’t be afraid to ask forgiveness. Ask forgiveness from all whom you have harmed in thought, word or deed, extend forgiveness to others who ask it from you, and be willing also to forgive yourself. God will do the rest.

Adam and Eve brought fear upon themselves and felt shame and hid themselves from God.  We are chewing the same apple that brings us fear. But we can stop chewing on the apple that brings us fear. It’s never too late to realize that your answer to your own fearful inquiry is unsatisfactory. It’s never too late to turn to God and say: “God, my answer has filled my mind with fear. My answer has brought only pain and struggle into my life. It must be the wrong answer. Will you please help me find another one?”

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13).

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)