An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him to not be afraid for his wife would bear a child in her old age. The angel, Gabriel,  appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Angels appeared to the shepherds out in the fields … “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'” (Luke2:8-11) An angel appeared to Joseph in his dream and told him to not be afraid. 

It seems to be an overriding theme throughout the birth and even life of Christ: Fear Not. Now, so many years past, He still reminds us through Scripture today to fear not. If you’re not personally familiar with Him, you might ask, “Why?”

Prophecies declared He would be the Savior. Angels proclaimed He was Lord. The wise men professed He was King. Scripture reminds us He is our Hope, our Light for darkened times. Throughout the story of Christ, He is the Hope to the nations and the Light of the world, and many who foretold of Him also spoke of the words, “Fear Not.” When you have Hope, you no longer have fear, and when you are in darkness, and you find the light, you no longer fear. 

That is what Christ does for your life! He brings you Light in a darkened world, and He is the guiding Light that will direct your path. He brings you Hope, regardless, the circumstances you may face; so, you might have peace that surpasses all understanding. 

As we enter this Christmas season, I encourage you to read the Christmas story again. Maybe you read it a long time ago, maybe you’ve never read it before in your life. I challenge you to pay attention to these two themes and see if they speak to you as they did me. Maybe you’ll take it a step further and look a little deeper throughout Scripture at what He says about not being afraid. Just try it. You may be amazed at what (and Who) you find. 😉