2020 really has been
a time that has driven up for many a sense of fear and anxiety.
‘Fear Not’ is used
365 times in the Bible and we become particularly aware of its important
reassurance as it is a phrase often used during the Christmas Story. ‘Fear Not’
Mary is told by the angel, when she is invited to give birth to Jesus. Joseph
is told in a dream that convinces him to stay faithful to Mary, ‘Fear Not’. The
Shepherds in the fields are told by the angels, not to be afraid when they are
greeted with the good news of the Messiah’s birth.
There were many
reasons to be afraid in the Christmas story. Who wouldn’t be afraid when life
seemed out of control and way beyond normal expectations: Mary, being away from
home with nowhere to stay and about to give birth? Who wouldn’t be afraid
living in an occupied country with a tyrant like Herod in charge and life being
so precarious? And this is just the
fearful, anxiety-ridden, life and death situation into which Jesus is born. Not
a place of peace and stability but into a desperate, needy world.
He was born and there
was no room for him, he was born into poverty, loneliness, disease, and extreme
danger, with death always at hand.
Christ comes to be
with us in all our fears and anxieties, born into a dangerous world, and he grew
to be a man who had to face suffering and death himself.
This is God, coming to
live alongside us, within us, to bring us hope and love in a world of fear.
That is the true joy of Christmas.
In order to stay safe
this Christmas, many of us will be alone, from a human perspective. Yet our
faith brings us comfort and – yes - joy, for the truth of Christmas is that Jesus
has come to this troubled world to win and offer eternal life, the darkness has
not overcome the light. It is into just this situation of alienation and loss
that the Saviour comes with love, joy and peace - and the greatest hope.
‘Fear Not’ for God is
truly with us. Emmanuel.
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