Show Our Children How To Erase Fear With God's Love
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 8-12
Can you imagine being face to face with God's angels shining with the glory of the Lord!? The shepherds reacted just like I would: they were TERRIFIED!
The first words out of the angel’s mouth were:
“Do not be afraid.”
Think of all the fear on the earth when God placed his Son as a baby in a manger:
Joseph, afraid to take Mary as his wife because she was pregnant.
The droves of Jews who had to travel to Bethlehem for a mandatory census and resulting tax by the Roman government.
Later, Herod who finds out a King of the Jews has been born that threatens his own political power grabbing.
We all have fear, mixed with faith. It might be for different reasons, but it is still the thought deep in our hearts that we are not safe. That we are not significant.
God says to us: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all people.”
Good news: A Savior has been born to you!
Great joy: He has become flesh like us to become our sin. To take the punishment for our sin. To give us his peace. To give us eternity in heaven with God!
For all people: Jesus died for every person. There is no family who has failures that are bigger than God’s love for them. None of us could ever hope to earn God’s love. It is simply and profoundly a gift for all people.
A Daily Prayer:
O Jesus, Your love for me lets me be honest about all the ways I have failed you. I am in awe that you love me so much you came to this earth for me. Increase my trust in your Words that I am completely loved and forgiven in you. Replace my fear with your peace. Help me to share the message of your salvation with my family and friends, like the shepherds did. Amen.