Daily Devotional

The word of this angel to these shepherds is the reassurance many of us need today: “Don’t be afraid!” Political corruption—“Don’t be afraid!” Racial and ethnic enmity—“Don’t be afraid!” Economic polarization—“Don’t be afraid!” Health concerns—“Don’t be afraid!” Family issues—“Don’t be afraid!” Job insecurity—“Don’t be afraid!” Crime—“Don’t be afraid!” Facing down and overcoming past mistakes—“Don’t be afraid!”
As we celebrate Advent, we can be glad that the angel prefaced his announcement by saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Jesus takes away our fear.
He takes away our fear of conditions. Though there are some ugly conditions that exist today, we can stand on the words of David, Psalm 56, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in You.” In times of trial, tribulation, sickness, failure, confusion, we may trust in Him.
He takes away our fear of people. Not all frightening people carry guns and knives. Some of the most frightening people live right next door to us, go to Church, call us “Brother” or “Sister.” But we need not worry about what people may do to us. Jesus’ love reassures us in times of fear.
He takes away our fear of the future. Without Jesus, our future is bleak—eternal estrangement from God. But in Christ, our future is very certain. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but should have everlasting life…In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world…I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…Do not be afraid. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you will be also.”
The reassurance of Advent is that Jesus has come to relieve us of our fear.

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