One of the major themes we see pop up throughout the Christmas story is the challenge to not be afraid.

“Joseph do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” Even though this story is not going to go at all like you had planned.

“Do not be afraid Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard.” You are going to have a child after all, even at your advanced age.

“Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Although at times over the coming years it may not feel like favor.

And finally, shepherds, “fear not, for behold I bring you good news..” Good news for even the lowliest of shepherds.

Fear is a universal experience. The major players in that first Christmas story were facing realistic fears. Maybe you are carrying a lot of fear with you into this Christmas season. So, how can we manage to “fear not”? Our fears aren’t a switch we can flip on and off at will. What will help us heed the advice of the angels long ago?

One of the Jesus’ disciples picked up on the theme of battling fear in a letter he wrote to Christians years later. John said, “perfect love casts out fear”. I’ve never in my life loved anyone or anything perfectly. Neither have you. There is a source of perfect love, however, and it is from God. In Jesus we find the perfect motives to love combined with the perfect wisdom about how to love. John was saying that our ability to accept the love God has for us is what eases our fears.

In the same letter, John said, “we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us”. It’s not an easy thing to fully believe. We know how hard we can be to love at times. We know all about our flaws and faults. The thought that a God who also fully knows us would fully love us can be a hard thing to accept. When we accept that just like Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, and the shepherds, God’s plans for us are filled with love, then we can begin to release our fears.

I pray that you may embrace the love that will allow you to attempt to “fear not” this Christmas season.