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Do Not Be Afraid - The Christmas Story Rescue Plan

by Robert Down

 
Humanity is well acquainted with the concept of fear.  Whilst this was not always the case, in the idyllic garden of Eden, it does appear very early in our story.  We see Adam and Eve (the first humans) after eating fruit from the forbidden tree. We hear God searching for them in the garden, as they hide, because they were afraid.  Sin is a breakdown in the relationship between God and us, with fear being the first aftermath of that breakdown.

We see the "fear" theme throughout the Christmas narrative, but this time there is a twist.  Every time the angels appear they follow the same script.

• The angel said to Zachariah, "do not be afraid" (Luke 1:5-24)
• The angel said to Mary, "do not be afraid" (Matt 1:26-28)
• The angel said to Joseph, "do not be afraid" (Matt 1:18-25)
• The angel said to the shepherds, "do not be afraid"  (Luke 2:2-21)

It is no accident that we see the "do not fear" directive so entwined with the Christmas story.  Christ came to earth as the healer of relationships, and the conqueror of sin and death, and as such there is no reason to be afraid.

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the demarcation plan. 

• He would split the world into BC and AD.
• He would rip the curtain to the most holy place in the temple, allowing it to flood into the holy place, where each one of us can now have direct access to God.
• He would banish fear and restore love in our relationship with God.

Even since then God has been telling us the same things. "Do not be afraid, I have a rescue plan".  His perfect love banishes all fear.

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