Advent Thoughts

I'm just going to stop numbering these, because then I don't have to feel guilty about my rather loose interpretation of doing "daily" posts...

In a sermon a few weeks ago, our pastor talked about how God wants to move us towards fearlessness. What would THAT be like, huh? To live, unafraid of the future, chasing after God and embracing without a backward glance all that he extends to us...

In scripture's account of the Christmas story, every time an angel shows up, the first thing they say is "Do not be afraid." Here's three times just in Luke:

But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John." Luke 1:13

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God." Luke 1:30

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." Luke 2:10

Of course, the angels are saying "do not be afraid" partially in reference to themselves, as seeing an angel pop up in front of you was just as shocking as an experience to these people as it would've been to you or me. But I think what we know of God and His great plan shows us that the "do not be afraid" part is mostly in reference to what is about to be revealed.

God told these people not to be afraid, even though what would come next for each of them was sort of terrifying!

"Zechariah, don't be afraid of the fact that you and your wife are old and that it is scientifically impossible for her to be pregnant. Don't be afraid that the son I'm going to give you has a really important job to prepare the way for my son."

"Mary, don't be afraid that you are the one who is getting this ultimate job of motherhood. Don't be afraid that no one will believe you, because they might not, but I know the truth. Don't be afraid of your husband-to-be and what he will think. Don't be afraid of the way people will talk. Don't be afraid about how this isn't how you thought the Messiah would eventually appear. Don't be afraid even though your son's life - and yes, Mary, someday his death - will change the course of history."

"Shepherds, don't be afraid that people might think you're crazy when you tell them what you saw. Don't be afraid that this baby won't be the king in the way you imagined he should be. Don't be afraid that this is too good to be true; I sent this baby to be to you as you are to the sheep asleep at your feet."

Can it be as simple as that, for you and for me? That God would say to us, "Do not be afraid," and, even if what he says next sounds really really scary, we could obey? At Christmas, we celebrate the most extraordinary miracle of all time. Our Savior entered the world. That's got to be more than enough reason to follow God into fearlessness.