But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10
“Fear not,” the angel said. What is the opposite of fear? While confidence may begin to express it, there has to be a basis for that confidence. Perhaps a better word is trust – and the result…is JOY.
How often we let our fear get the best of us. Afraid of changes in our lives, new situations, or even new people and their strange ways that are not our ways. We let that fear dictate our lives, limiting our possibilities and opportunities. What if the shepherds had listen to their fear and ran away?
But they didn’t. They may have been afraid, but the did not let that fear stop them from hearing the news – the Holy Spirit come down from heaven in a multitude of angels filling the sky with beautiful light!
As advent is winding down and the expectation of Christmas is upon us it is time to notice how our circles of light have multiplied (as with the Advent Wreath), so that what was once a single tiny flicker is now a ring of brightness. If darkness is frightening (a cause of fear), darkness has given way to light!
“Fear not,” the angel says, first thing. For this is the night we are privileged to draw near to the One who is the very Light of the world!
Move forward in faith; the angels point the way.
While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.”
Amy Inghram
Getting ready to celebrate,
A birthday of someone we revere.
Salvation for all was His trait,
Yes that time grows near.
Children thinking of the “Claus”,
Of toys and all the sweets.
But all should stop and take a pause,
To remember why our hearts beat.
He was born in a field,
Near a shepherd and his sheep.
Maybe He cried or squealed,
Thoughts of wee Jesus and our souls leap.
Jerome R. Guerrein
© 2007
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