Don’t Be Afraid!
John Coulombe, Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center
The first word that comes to mind when pondering the Christmas story would appear to be joy—not fear. Yet doing a little review of the story reveals quite the opposite! An angel appears to Zacharias the priest, soon to be father of John (the baptizer) and fear grips him. The angel’s response? “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias (Luke 1:12-13).” Gabriel comes to the young virgin, Mary, to bless and inform her of her pregnancy and that she is to carry the Messiah. She is shocked and frightened. Her hometown will be abuzz about her “early” pregnancy. Her groom is contemplating walking out on the marriage, until an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and calms his fears with a word: “Joseph…don’t be afraid to marry Mary (Matt. 1:19-25).”
And then there’s the possible stoning, the punishment for adultery. They are no doubt broke and will have a five days’ walk from home to Jerusalem to pay their taxes! And there is no birthing or sleeping room available in the entire town. No wonder Mary was simply “pondering” (Luke 2:19). The angel reassures the young girl for what’s ahead: “Don’t be afraid, Mary (Luke 1.26-30).”
Enter another group of scraggly folk, the shepherds out of the blue and in the dark. The angel startles them in a blaze of light and they are “terribly frightened.” They are calmed with “Don’t be afraid—I’ve got good, joyful news which is for everyone (Luke 2:9-10).”
Time passes, the God-Child grows and big bad King Herod is threatened and troubled (fearful?) by the news that a King has been born in his territory who has come to shepherd His people, Israel (Matt. 2: 3-6). Fearful, Herod sends the magi to search out this young boy. Upon finding the child, they are overcome with great joy and worship and bring their gifts. They realize King Herod is interested in killing this young king and want nothing more to do with it—returning to their countries via a different route, their hearts filled with joy. Talk about drama! The angel appears to Joseph informing the young family to get themselves down to Egypt until Herod is out of the picture. When Herod dies the angel lets them know it’s time to return to their homeland. Enter Archelaus, Herod’s son and new king. Joseph is once again afraid of being in the same town as a wicked king, is warned in a dream and moves the family to Galilee to a place called Nazareth (Matt. 2:7-23).
Life is a drama and there’s drama in this Christmas story we love to rehearse and celebrate. In fact, drama, like life, includes these frightening twins: good and evil, tragedy and comedy, darkness and light, sorrow and joy, fear and peace.
Charles Wesley on the anniversary of his conversion, filled with joy at his new relationship with Christ, longed for a thousand tongues to sing His praise, and wrote:
Jesus! The name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, ‘Tis music in the sinners ears, ‘tis life and health and peace.
Mary’s Magnificent response—”My soul magnifies the Lord…” (Luke 1:46-55)!
O, Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:3–4).
John Coulombe has served for 20 years as Pastor to Senior Adults at First Evangelical Free Church, Fullerton CA