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Fear Not!

“The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias . . .” (Luke 1:13)

 

 

 

What’s your favorite saying of the Christmas story? What the angel said to Mary, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women!” (Luke 1:28)? Or what the angel said to the Shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)? Or to Joseph, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

But what about the “Fear Nots” of the Christmas story?

To Zechariah, the angel said, “Fear not!” (Luke 1:13). His fears about his future posterity would not happen—God would bless him with a son, John, to turn many of the hearts of the people back to God.

To Mary, the angel said, “Fear not!” (Luke 1:30). Her fear for her future as a woman would not happen—God would bless her with a son, Jesus, who would be the King to sit on David’s throne.

To Joseph, the angel said, “Fear not!” (Matthew 1:20). His fear for his future as a righteous man would not happen—God would bless him with a son who would be the Savior for the people.

To us, God is saying, “Fear not!” Our fears for our future do not have to happen—God has blessed us with His Son who is the way of salvation from all fears. “Fear not!” Christmas is about how Jesus came to give us life, and He will not betray us nor let us down. “Fear not!” God will protect us and encourage us. “Fear not!” God is in control and He will take care of us.

“Fear not!”—God’s message to us because of His Child born for us at Christmas!

 

Norm Baker, Adjunct Faculty, Bible & Theology Department