From Fear to Peace
Our house is what many would call quite crazy. With four boys, it is often fast and loud, and there is not a lot of downtime. Did I mention we also have two dogs? The idea of peace in our household in the traditional sense is often unheard of. In the insanity of Christmas morning, we want to create a moment of peace where we stop and recognize the Gift Giver. After the boys run down the stairs and before opening gifts, we stop and open to Luke 2. We reread the birth of Jesus. We’ve heard it before, whether during the candlelight service the night before or during another service, but this is different. This allows us the opportunity for our hearts to pause and once again thank the Giver of the gifts. It’s a little bit of calm and peace during the storm.
There’s a similar moment in the Christmas story. It involves the shepherds. Luke 2:10-12 states “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’”
The shepherds at this point were completely afraid. Looking back at verse 9, we see that the angel appeared out of nowhere, and “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” The Greek goes so far as to say that the fear they were experiencing was pure dread. They didn’t know what was happening. They just saw angelic beings in front of them with no explanation—it makes sense that their natural reaction was fear!
In our current culture, things are happening around us (or to us) daily that may cause stress, anxiety or downright fear whether it be cultural clashes, social media outrage, or global war. Like the shepherds, we may not understand what we are facing, and we may feel fear. But then the angel announced good news, speaking words of hope and assurance. In place of their fear, the shepherds found undisturbed peace.
More than just peace, this announcement caused them to leap into action (vs. 15-16). They ran to see the child wrapped in swaddling clothes that the angels announced. And after seeing the baby, they praised God for what they had seen and heard.
Jesus entered the world during a time of complete instability, both for the Jewish people and personally for Mary and Joseph. Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to rest but could find none. Instead, they were offered a stable, the most unlikely place (and one that was not ideal for a woman who was about to give birth!). But even Mary found peace in that moment as she gazed upon her son, the Savior of the world.
As you navigate this Christmas season, there are a lot of things that can cause a level of anxiety, fear or dread. Whether it’s something happening in our world or a specific situation in our personal lives, we can allow these things to move us towards hiding, addiction, stress and isolation. But just as the angels’ announcement moved the shepherds from fear to peace, so it can move us as well. Our Messiah has delivered us from sin, death, and the power of the evil one! He is with us, and He lives inside of us. What better good news do we need?
Friends, listen to the good news once more. It will provide peace and move us to action.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” –Luke 2:13-14, NIV