Don't Be Afraid

DON’T BE AFRAID
Luke 2:7-20 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

As we enter into 2018, I wonder how many of us are like those shepherds…sore afraid. We didn’t hear from angels, rather from CNN or some other news agency, the stock markets and banks have lost our money, cryptocurrency is sagging, the president disappoints again. But whatever the source, many people are afraid and have lost hope for our futures.

But the angels told another story. We are not to be afraid, because God has intervened. God has sent us a savior. This savior, Jesus is bringing us a new way to look at things, a new way to be in this world. We are recipients of His salvation which is His Kingdom, now and forever.

Not only do we get something eternal in the material, His Kingdom, just as He was eternal yet in our material world. We get to do something. We get to do as the angels and the shepherds did. We get to glorify God, and praise Him. It is the gift of response that we get to give.

Over the last couple of months Gail and I have had the joy of seeing most of our four children, and our seven grandchildren. (With skype, all) When you look at the youngest ones, they return your smile in such a compelling way…you have to smile at them because their broad warm smile calls you to return it. That is what God has done for us…He has smiled on us, sending His son, commanding us not to be afraid, and inviting us to glorify Him and praise Him, to smile at Him. Let’s get a good start on the New Year…no fear, accompanied by praise to God who brought eternity to us, for us. He is our Hope
(Sripture from The Message, by Jon Peterson.)