The Do Not Be Afraids of Christmas

Mustard Seed Chronicles: Story Time with LU Grandma

There are four times when Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid” in the Christmas Story. I have wondered over the years why he had to continually tell people not to be afraid when he appeared but if we remember the last time God had spoken with Israel as recorded by Malachi, Israel was cursed, rebuked by God for all the wrong ways that the priests were giving sacrifices on behalf of the people.

Fast forward 400 years to the next time God speaks. It is the time when Zechariah was selected as the priest to enter the Holy of Holies. As was then the custom, a rope was tied around his ankle before entering in case he was found to be unworthy, and punished by death inside the sacred place, then the other priests could drag his body out. He would have been entering the chamber with a great amount of awe and trembling.

Scripture says that he and his wife were “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly” (Luke 1:6). However, I can understand why Zechariah, being alone in the Holy of Holies and about to burn incense, would be terrified when Gabriel appeared at the right of the altar!

“Do not be afraid!” Gabriel had great news for him and his wife! “Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17).

The second, “Do not be afraid” was said to Mary. When Gabriel appeared to Mary he said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:28-33).

Gabriel had to tell her not to be afraid also because of what he was going to tell her! She was a young teen, probably 12-13 years old. She had been betrothed to Joseph, the carpenter. The betrothal, by custom, would last a year so the husband could make a dwelling place within his father’s house for them to live in, and also to prove without doubt that the young lady was truly a virgin and pure. Gabriel was telling her that she would become pregnant during the betrothal period! What would her family, Joseph, and the village think of her? Would Joseph still marry her? Would she be stoned as a fornicator, disowned by her family? Yes, I can understand the need for Gabriel to tell her not to be afraid!

The third “Do not be afraid,” was spoken to Joseph in a dream. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-21).

In other words, “Do not be afraid to believe Mary! What she is telling you is true!” Implied was that there would be circumstances that might cause Joseph to be afraid in the future, but because God was in the circumstances, he need not fear.

The fourth, “Do not be afraid”, was said to the shepherds. “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”(Luke 2:8-12).

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Well, I guess I would be terrified, too, if an angel appeared in a closet where no one else but me was supposed to enter, or if I was a young girl whose condition would seem like I rebelled traditions and sinned against God, or if I was a young husband whose responsibility included protecting and providing for the world’s Messiah, or if I worked in the hills where no one typically went out of their way to find me and talk to me!

In each case, Gabriel had to tell the recipients of his messages not to be afraid because there were answered prayers, favor in God’s sight, promises, and great joy! They really needed to hear his good news, and so do we all these years later. We live in a world where there is violence, greed, hypocrisy, and evil of every kind that could cause any of us to fear. As much as Israel watched for the Savior to rescue them from it all, we need that, too. And God has!

God has provided the remedy for our fears! It’s Jesus! The Messiah HAS COME! If we believe in our hearts that He truly is the Son of God, He rescues us from the wages of our sins, gives us the peace that passes ALL earthly understanding even in the midst of chaos, everlasting life, and eternity with Him in a perfect Heaven. He promises us His grace, strength, wisdom, and courage to do unimaginable things!

Prayer:

Dear Father,

With the angels, I say, Hallelujah! Praise to You Almighty One who saves and keeps us! You are the Son of God, Emmanuel, God with US, and the perfect love that casts out fear. We have not been given a spirit of fear. Romans 8:15 says, “For You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” We can have a healthy fear of the Lord or be afraid of everything else! I choose the Lord!

Thank You in the name of Jesus our Redeemer! Amen.

Merry and FEAR NOT Christmas to you all!