Fear Not! (By Shane Prewitt)

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2:10, emphasis added).
   
The most repeated command in all of Scripture is found in those two little words, “Fear not”. This year at PHBC, we are focusing on the “Fear Nots” of the Christmas story as they relate to the recipients of the news surrounding the birth of Messiah.
    
In each of the “Fear Not” encounters, God’s angelic messengers had to reassure their recipients not to be afraid of their appearance but to rejoice because of what God was doing. The Messiah, the Savior of the world was about to come, and His arrival would change the trajectory of the world forevermore. Including the lives of the people receiving the news of Messiah’s birth.
    
Zechariah and Elizabeth would be able to rejoice that God was going to give them a son of their own who would prepare the way of the Lord.
    
Joseph would be able to stand by Mary’s side and support her throughout her pregnancy and be the earthly father to God’s very own Son.
    
Mary could celebrate that God had found her highly favored in His sight and had chosen her to give birth to the Savior of the world.
    
The shepherds could delight that they were just as loved as anybody else in the world and would be the first to lay eyes on the newborn King.
    
All of the recipients of the news surrounding Jesus’ birth had their own fears and questions that faced them head-on, but when they received the wonderful news from God’s messengers, the fears that they faced were swallowed up by confidence in what God was revealing to them.
    
I wonder what type of fears are being faced in our church family as we near the conclusion of another year. Maybe it’s the fear of what others think of you. Maybe it’s the fear of not being able to pay the bills while still buying Christmas gifts for the kids. It could be the fear of being rejected by a spouse, or having the face another Christmas alone.
    
Are there fears that you are facing this Christmas season?
    
If so, listen closely to the “Fear Nots” of the Christmas narratives. God had good news of great joy not only for the shepherds who were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks, but that same good news extends to us today.
    
Jesus has come, which means truly God is with us. And just like the Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
    
Instead of allowing fear to paralyze you this Christmas season, look fully into the meaning of Jesus’ birth and allow His coming to give you full confidence in His love for you.
    
Fear not, for the Lord has come!