Intentional Advent: Day 12
Four words get repeated over and over again the Christmas story that are always a good reminder to me: Do not be afraid.
We see them in the following passages:
Luke 1:12: 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 1:30: But the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child, and give birth to his son, and you are to give him the name, Jesus.
Luke 2:10: The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Matthew 1:20: … an angel of the Lord, appeared to him in a dream, and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
God uses four simple words repeatedly, “do not be afraid” to reassure Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds to not be afraid. God’s word can be trusted. We don’t have to fear the unknown because God can be trusted with any fear we face. What fear do you have? Will you trust the God of heaven to surrender that fear to Him? Just like the angels assured Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Sheperds, He wants to reassure you, too.
“Do not be afraid, (insert your name).”
