Reflect: Reflect for a moment on the word FEAR. Think about the last time you were truly afraid. Maybe someone came up behind you suddenly and touched your shoulder. Maybe you were attempting to do something you’d never done before. Whatever the cause, you were shaken to the core.
Read: Luke 1:13, Luke 1:30, Matthew 1:20, and Luke 2:10. You’ll read four encounters, specifically related to the birth of Christ, where an angel appears to people and says the words “fear not.”
Picture: Imagine these
four different scenarios. Zacharias, an
old man, was filled with fear when an angel appeared. He was told that he would
a father and that his son would be the forerunner of the Messiah. The angel
told him, “Fear not.” Mary was told that she would have the awesome privilege
of bearing the Son of God. Fear filled her at first, but the angel said, “Fear
not, Mary.” Joseph, betrothed to Mary, was filled with fear and embarrassment
when he learned that she was pregnant. But the angel declared, “Fear not...”
Then when the Holy Child was born, the angel came to those shepherds in the
fields and said, “Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
(excerpted from DECISION, December 1984, “The Peace of Christmas”)
Pray: Father, I ask that
You would draw me close to Yourself during this Christmas season. Help me to
face life with courage and cast aside fear, knowing that Your Spirit is within
me, guiding, helping, comforting and encouraging me. Be my
Celebrate: Today, celebrate the Savior who came to conquer fear and death and gives us hope and a future.