Christmas Devotional 17: Do Not Be Afraid
Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:29-30, Luke 8-11, Romans 8:38-39
What’s it like to see an angel? How would you react? Is it like seeing your favorite movie star and asking the angel for a selfie? Or is it more casual, like sharing a latte with your favorite teacher?
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Story is the appearances of angels. They show up in dreams to Joseph, come face-to-face with Mary and fill the skies for the shepherds. As a child and even today, these stories make me eager to see an angel, even if only for a moment. As we look at these three sightings of angels, we see they each had one thing in common.
MARY: 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.” Luke 1:29-30
JOSEPH: …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.” Matthew 1:20
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.” Luke 8-10a
What phrase is said by an angel to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds? Why do you think the angels kept telling the people in the Christmas story, “Do not be afraid?” (no correct answer)
As much as I would LOVE to meet an angel, I am pretty sure I would indeed be terrified. It seems to me that any heavenly being showing up on earth would have to be so wondrous that my mere human mind would not comprehend it. But one pattern that seems evident from the sightings of angels in the Bible is this: when an angel appears in your life, you know God wants to be heard.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have your own angel that showed up throughout your cancer journey to say, “Do not be afraid?” Maybe they’d whisper this in your ear at stop lights or before you drift off to sleep. “Do not be afraid.” I’d like to say that if an angel told me to stop being afraid, I would. But you know what? I can hold pretty tight to my fears sometimes. I might look up at the awe-inspiring angel and say, “Yeah, I know I’m not supposed to be afraid, but what about this thing or that?” God knew some fears would be harder to let go of than others. That’s why He gave us this powerful verse:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
There is nothing- nothing- that can separate us from the love of God. We are united with God through the gift of His Son, who on the cross made us pure, clean, unblemished, untainted, and finally whole. We cannot be separated from Christ. We may experience struggles and pain, but nothing can touch this impenetrable unity. So, do not be afraid. Rejoice in the good news of the angels: (Write your name in the space below and read the verse aloud.)
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to___________________ __________________________; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Hallelujah! The Christ Child has come! May you and yours have the Merriest of Christmases!
Christ, You have come! You have come to earth to be my Lord and Savior! Through my faith we are united now and forevermore. I rejoice in Your presence and shout Your praises! You are all that is good and holy and glorious to me! Take me this Christmas and lead me to the manger, so I may kneel by Your side and be renewed through the wonder of Your love. There is no finer gift than You! In Your precious name I pray, AMEN.