Can you imagine being one of the shepherds on guard in the middle of the night that we read about in Luke 2, trying to protect your sheep when the first angel of the Lord appeared? These macho shepherds, used to fighting off vicious predators such as thieves, wolves, and even bears, were terrified by the angel and rightfully so. Angels are not the fluffy, harmless creatures we often picture. Most people in the Bible reacted with terror the first time they encountered an angel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, the angel in Luke had an incredible message for the shepherds: \u201cFear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord\u201d (Luke 2:10, KJV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When my stepdaughter, Ashlie, was in kindergarten, I would pick her up after school each day. She was scheduled to be dismissed at 11:30 a.m., but her teacher would often dismiss the kids a few minutes early or late. I would shoot to be at the school at 11:25, not wanting to stand and wait for 10 to 15 minutes for my cute little bundle of energy to emerge from the building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a couple of times her teacher let the class out several minutes early. By the time I arrived, Ashlie had become anxious and started to tear up even though both times I arrived before all the other kids had been picked up, and she was never left alone. When I asked her why she had gotten so frightened, she said, \u201cI was afraid you wouldn\u2019t come.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I understood her fear. Her first mother had passed away when Ash was barely two years old. She worried that something would happen to me as well and she would be left alone. I knew it wouldn\u2019t help to tell her that I would \u201calways\u201d be there for her because I could not guarantee that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of making promises I didn\u2019t have the power to keep, I said, \u201cSo what if something did happen to me and I couldn\u2019t come get you? Would someone else be able to get you?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She thought a moment and then said, \u201cDaddy. . . .\u201d As I nodded in agreement, she added, \u201cBut what if something happened to him<\/em>?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n I turned the question back to her and asked, \u201cWhat would<\/em> happen? Who would get you if something happened to Daddy?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAunt Connie,\u201d she said. (Connie was one of Ashlie\u2019s main caregivers during her first mom\u2019s illness and passing.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, then she started down that trail, saying, \u201cWhat if something happened to Aunt Connie?\u201d As she calmed down, we ended up listing other aunts and uncles until finally I said, \u201cWhat would happen if none<\/em> of them could come? Who is always with you?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n She answered, half questioning, \u201cJesus?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d I could say with confidence. \u201cHe will ALWAYS be with you!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, most of us are worried about so many things. As I did with Ashlie, we try to reassure ourselves with our ideas of what could make us less anxious, such as \u201cIf this person is elected president, then all will be right with the world\u201d or \u201cIf we can just get this vaccine developed, all will be right with the world\u201d or even \u201cIf I can stockpile enough weapons and food, I can protect my family.\u201d The list goes on and on. Unfortunately, just as I could not guarantee Ashlie that I would always be there for her, nothing we can do will guarantee our control of our world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The world into which Christ was born was a scary place. Shortly after Jesus was born God warned his adoptive father, Joseph, to flee to Egypt because King Herod was going to try to kill the child. In fact, after Jesus\u2019 family fled, Herod did indeed murder all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, the angel\u2019s message to \u201cfear not\u201d was intended not only to quell the immediate fear of those poor shepherds out on the hillside; it also served to reassure the people that their Savior, Immanuel, was now with them as well. He was not just the shepherds\u2019 savior or the Jews\u2019 savior, but a Savior for ALL people, including us! <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is worrying you right now? Do you have a \u201cWhat would happen if . . .\u201d scenario that plays out over and over in your head? Go ahead; imagine the very worst that could happen and then declare the angel\u2019s message over yourself: I will not fear. No matter what issues we face, like Ashlie, we will not be left alone, abandoned (Matthew 28:20). Our Savior is here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Andrea Johnson Can you imagine being one of the shepherds on guard in the middle of the night that we read about in Luke 2, trying to protect your sheep when the first angel of the Lord appeared? These macho shepherds, used to fighting off vicious predators such as thieves, wolves, and even bears, were terrified by the angel and rightfully so. Angels are not the fluffy, harmless creatures we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":17157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[74,81,89,299],"class_list":["post-14354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-the-editor","tag-dec20","tag-editor","tag-facing-fear","tag-worry"],"yoast_head":"\n