Fear not's of Christmas (Luke 1:13 Luke 1:28-31 Luke 2:9-10)

 

To Zechariah, John the Baptist' father:

Luke 1:13  But the angel said: "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son!  And you are to name him John..."

To Mary, Jesus's mother:

Luke 1:28-31  Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  "Don't be frightened, Mary" the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.

To the shepherds

Luke 2:9-10 ...They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.  "Don't be afraid", he said, "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!

First of all, I chose to celebrate Christmas earlier.  After all it's a season of joy and celebration and yet for a lot of people it can mean loneliness and bad memories.  The first Christmas was full of emotions as well, but not for the same reasons.  A lot of the unexpected miracles happened then.  Although, the birth of John, the Baptist was a miracle as he was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. Furthermore, the greatest miracle of all was the birth of a child in a barn.  The birth of a child must have been a common thing as much then as it is today.

Indeed, a child born in a barn must have been as unusual as it is today.

Even though, all children are very special, this one child, Jesus, should have been celebrated by many people.

You see!  Moreover, the place of choice would not have been in a cold barn among animals.  As a matter of fact. there was just no more room in the lodge for the birth of the Messiah.

Is there room in your heart for him now?  I hope there is.  Why don't you make room for him now?  It makes me think of a closed shell on the beach.

Don't let your heart be a closed shell to the world this Christmas and every day.

Open up, you are beautiful!

Put your fears and anxieties aside.  Let Jesus take on your burden and give you rest this Christmas.