In Case We Missed it the First Time

I was hunting through my blog for a certain post I wrote a while ago, and came across some old Christmas posts. I read one where I had written about the angel telling Joseph not to be afraid.  So tonight, when I was reading through Luke 1 and 2, that was in the back of my mind, and I noticed something.

Guys.

I have been writing these posts for years.
I have been reading the Christmas story all Advent long for years.
And somehow I missed it.

There are four times angels appear in the Christmas story.
To Zechariah.
To Mary.
To Joseph.
To the shepherds.

And at every single appearance, they start by saying the same thing.
(Every single one!)

Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.
Do not fear.
Fear not.

That is why God sent Jesus.
To sing, to shout, to declare, to whisper: fear not.  I will save my people from their sins.

And fear can choke out freedom. Fear can smother and inhibit and stunt our hearts from loving, seeing, trusting.  Fear can send us reeling with doubt, and, like Zechariah, we could hear God's declaration of new life and still look an angel in the face and, fearful, say "Do you expect me to believe this?"  Fear has kept us hiding since the day Adam and Eve took cover in Eden. Long lay the world, in sin and error pining - 

And God sent Jesus.
And God said

Fear not.
Do not fear.
Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid.

For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Merry Christmas, friends.
xo.