I was inspired recently by an article by this name in “Faith Today” magazine. “Don’t be afraid” is the most repeated message from God to man recorded in Scripture. Mankind needed to hear this assurance throughout its history. The first Christmas was no exception.
Gabriel to Zechariah
We don’t usually include Zechariah in our Christmas story. He was a Jewish priest married to Elizabeth, a relative of Mary’s. One day when he was performing his priestly duties in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Zechariah was “startled and gripped with fear”.
Gabriel then said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard…” (Luke 1:13).
He went on to say that Zechariah’s aged wife would bear a son called John who would prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus. John’s birth was clearly supernatural and not humanly possible.
Gabriel to Mary
Fast forward half a year. Elizabeth is six months pregnant. Gabriel is again sent on assignment with an even more important message. This time he appears to a young virgin named Mary who lives in Nazareth (northern Israel). Mary’s reaction to the angel resembles that of Zechariah.
She was “greatly troubled” which prompted Gabriel to say, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)
Gabriel continues to tell her that she will conceive supernaturally and bear a son whose name will be Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High”.
Angel to shepherds
Fast forward nine months. Everything has now happened as Gabriel said it would. John (the Baptizer) is now six months old, and Joseph and a very pregnant Mary have just made the arduous journey by foot and donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (southern Israel).
Shepherds working the night shift outside the town are guarding their sheep. Suddenly, an angel appears to them. We’re not given the angel’s name this time but I have a pretty good hunch it was Gabriel again. As with Zechariah and Mary, the shepherds were “terrified”. So, the angel begins his message by saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
He goes on to inform the lowly shepherds that the long-awaited Messiah has just been born in their humble town and gives instructions on how to find him.
Angel to Joseph
Fast forward a few weeks. Baby Jesus and his parents are still in Bethlehem but now living in a house (not a stable). The Magi (wise men) have come and gone leaving their costly gifts which will soon be needed. An unnamed angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to leave immediately for Egypt because the child’s life is in danger (Matthew 2:13). I’m speculating here but I have a pretty good idea that the angel was Gabriel and that he probably began his message with the words, “Don’t be afraid”. If seeing an angel in a dream wasn’t scary enough, certainly the message he carried was.
God to you
We are now over two millennia removed from the first Christmas. A lot has changed in our world but two things haven’t —human nature and scary things. In our everyday lives, the “scary things” can appear as health issues, financial stress or relationship challenges. And in our wider world, they can appear as civil wars, inter-country conflicts and terrorist threats.
God’s message to us is the same — “Don’t be afraid.” He is telling us to put our trust primarily in Him more than anyone or anything else. And if we do, regardless of what you may be going through right now, you can experience a faith-filled and fear-less Christmas!
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.
