Words of Reflection
The phrase “Do not be afraid” sits right at the center of the Christmas story. Most people associate it with the appearances of the angels to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, who were struggling to understand the story unfolding right in front of their eyes. The angels assure them that what is happening is God’s plan, and that they do not need to be afraid, as strange as it all may seem.
It’s often been said that the most common command God gives in the Bible is “Don’t be afraid.” You can find some form of that command hundreds of times in the pages of Scripture, in phrases like:
Do not fear
Do not be afraid
Be anxious for nothing
Do not worry
Do not be dismayed
As one preacher has said, it is the easiest command to find in the Bible, yet the most difficult to obey. No doubt God felt a need to repeat this command so many times because God knows we struggle with fear on a daily basis. Fear is a primal part of our human existence, and serves as the root of so many of our negative emotions and harmful actions. How wonderful to know that God has not left us alone in our fear, and that when we hear those words in the Christmas story, it’s not just for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds—it’s for us as well.
Six centuries before Christ was born the prophet Zephaniah penned these words:
“Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.
On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, ‘Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.’”—Zephaniah 3:14-17 (NLT)
Through the prophet God encourages us to rejoice, and he give us good reason to do so: judgment is no more and the enemy is defeated. You might think that’s enough to disperse our fear, but even then we might worry: what if the hand of judgment returns? What if the enemy regroups and comes back to attack once more?
That’s where Zephaniah gives a compelling reason why we need no longer fear: “The Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!” And then again: “The Lord your God is living among you…with his love, he will calm all your fears.” This isn’t about a temporary victory—this is about the victor himself taking up residence with us so that we might know his comforting strength at all times, no matter what we might face.
When we are young, what is the perfect antidote to our fear? It is being with those in whose presence we feel most safe. It’s knowing that as long as we are with them, no matter what comes our way…we are not alone. I can remember running into my parents’ bedroom after having a nightmare, and just hearing their voices saying, “It will be okay” was enough to calm me down so I could get back to sleep.
The Christmas story is all about the presence of God. It’s God “living among us” and calming our fears with his love. Thanks to the birth of Christ, and now the presence of his Spirit, we know that whatever we may face…we are not alone. The God of the Universe is on our side, and has come to be with us.
Do not be afraid.
Scripture for Meditation:
”The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.”—Psalm 27:1-6 (NIV)
Song: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (lyrics here)
Questions for Contemplation:
When you hear the words, “Don’t be afraid,” can you receive them and rest in them? Do you trust them and the One who speaks them? Offer to God any fears that push back against those words and let his presence minister to you in your fears.
What practices or disciplines help you to rest in the knowledge that God is with you, that he abides with you to watch over you, comfort you, and protect you? Is there something you can build into your day to remind you of his presence when fear threatens to overtake you?
What does the phrase, “The Lord is the stronghold of my life” speak to you? Spend some time in grateful prayer for the ways God has been a stronghold for you.