Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. It’s one of the only times of the year that the world glances toward Bethlehem and fixes its gaze on the precious baby that cloaked the glory of our heavenly Savior.
Every Christmas morning, before breakfast, before tearing into carefully wrapped gifts, before the hustle and bustle of Christmas dinner preparations begin, my family gathers to read Luke chapter 2. We always begin our day by focusing on the real meaning and significance of celebrating Christ’s birth.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
For the past few days, I have contemplated what it must have been like for the shepherds, in the midst of a quiet, starry night, to suddenly find themselves enveloped by the radiance of God’s presence and the heavenly hosts. I don’t know about you, but this would have initially freaked me out a little bit. Okay, who am I kidding? A LOT!! I would have been on the fast track out of there!! But there must have been something very comforting and assuring about the voice of the angel as he appealed, “Don’t be afraid.”
I believe those three words, “don’t be afraid,” and the ones that follow, offer us the same comfort, assurance, and encouragement today…2000 years later.
“Don’t be afraid!”
There are so many things that we have to be afraid of these days. Covid-19 has sent things into a tailspin for many. Unemployment rates have gone up, some have experienced pay cuts or are trying to salvage a small business struggling to keep its head above water. Many of us are trying to stay afloat financially. Some are homeschooling for the first time ever and afraid they are failing miserably. Children are adjusting to having parents as teachers, and some have missed important traditions like prom, graduation, homecoming, etc. And, of course the fear of contracting the coronavirus, all while managing other health conditions we, or our loved ones, are living with. So much to fear and worry about. But Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.” In John 14:27, Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” The Apostle Paul encourages the same in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Don’t be afraid. Easier said than done, right? That’s why the angel’s next statement is so important…
“I bring you good news…”
News…I don’t know about you, but I can only take so much of the news. I’ve noticed it increases my anxiety these days, so I watch or read just enough to be informed and know how to pray. But good news is so refreshing to the soul! Proverbs 15:30b says, “good news makes for good health.” And Proverbs 25:25 says, “Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.” In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, John Krasinski of “The Office” fame, created a YouTube series titled, “Some Good News“, celebrating the good news happening around the world, that often goes untold. I bawled watching every episode because I’m a crybaby and it was extremely moving. It was a great reminder that, quietly, good news is happening all around me. I highly recommend checking it out (with a tissue box nearby)!! And I recommend spending some time every day to recognize and celebrate the good that is happening to and through you. It will change your mood and perspective. It will….
“…bring great joy to all people.”
Be sure to share your good news. Testify!! Celebrate the good news of others. Fight the urge to wish something similar would happen for you or wonder what’s blocking your blessing. Just lean into the moment and be happy for them. After all, their blessings are designed to not only bless them, but to be an encouragement to you. Don’t miss the opportunity to rejoice with those who rejoice. Let’s start having daily praise parties!! If the promise was fulfilled for them, it will be fulfilled for us too!!
“The Savior… has been born today…”
The age-old promise handed down in Genesis 3, took roughly 4,000 years to come to fruition. Immediately following 400 years of God remaining silent in the affairs of his chosen people Israel, He had finally spoken and fulfilled His promise. For some of us, there are promises from God that we have been waiting and praying and waiting and praying to be fulfilled. At times it feels like God is silent. Our encouragement here is that it may take a long time, God may appear to be silent, but He is a faithful Promise Keeper. Keep seeking, keep praying, keep making faith moves and when the time is right, we will see His promises fulfilled.
“And you will recognize Him…”
The angel was sure to describe what the shepherds were to look for. He would not look like the Conquering King they had been hoping for. Instead, the King of kings came wrapped in the flesh of a newborn baby…a tiny, seemingly helpless baby. If we only look for the hand of God in the big, impressive things, we will most likely miss Him. If we only look for Red Sea and Walls of Jericho moments, we will miss Him in the small, intimate ones. The prophet Elijah experienced this in 1 Kings 19:11. Elijah looked for God in the windstorm. He wasn’t there. Elijah looked for Him in the earthquake. Nope! Not there. Elijah looked for Him in the fire. Nope! Not there either. Instead, God showed up in a gentle whisper. Don’t get me wrong, there are times that God moves in huge, jaw dropping ways, but more often than not, it’s small and quiet, and easily overlooked if we’re not careful.
So my dear friends, as you spend time preparing this week, my encouragement to you this holiday season is to choose not to be afraid, celebrate and share the good news and good things happening all around you, and rest knowing that God is a Promise Keeper who moves in the big and the small.
Merry Christmas! May God’s enduring promise of abundant life rest on you and your family today and always!
Nikita
