And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:8-14 ESV)
I always tend to brush right past the "Fear not" (or "Do not be afraid" depending on the translation) in the account of the nativity. But as we've been reading through the Christmas story with the kids during Advent, I've noticed that the lad has really latched onto the angel's "Do not be afraid."
"What does the angel say?" I ask every night when we read.
"Do not be afraid!" he replies with a smile.
That is a good word. Do not be afraid! We will see no good news of great joy if we are still afraid and trembling. There will be no peace if we stay in the fields and ignore the word of this outrageous sign of a swaddled baby sleeping in a feeding trough. But fear not: There is good news of great joy. There is peace. I'm going to Bethlehem to see this thing for myself. Will you come with me?
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