Luke 2 verse 10:

“The Angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide.”    {Message Bible}.

Don’t be afraid – it is good news – it is good news of great joy – it is is for everybody – and it is also personally related to everyone individually.

DON”T BE AFRAID. This encouraging phrase is found often in the Gospel of Luke, because the Message of Salvation replaces fear with Joy.

All kinds of people heard it    “Don’t Be Afraid.”

Zechariah: Luke 1 verse 13.

Mary: Luke 1 verse 30.

The Shepherds: Luke 2 verse 10.

Peter: Luke 5 verse 10.

Jairus: Luke 8 verse 50.

And All the Disciples: Luke 12 verse 7 and verse 32.

The Message of Salvation for everyone is “Don’t Be Afraid.”

Also in Luke’s Gospel we see that Jesus, redefines fear by rearranging our view so we look at things through what God sees. Jesus draws on the Old testament concept of the ‘fear of the Lord {Proverbs 1 verse 7}. This is not a cringing fear that makes us anxious, but a respect for who God is. He is the one who holds ultimate power. When we have a balanced view of God {Our Lord and Our friend}, it puts our thinking the right way round. We view everybody and everything in relations to God’s Holiness, Righteousness and Love.

We can’t ignore physical threat and violence, but we should hold in total respect Our Lord and Our Friend, who holds sway over our eternal destiny.

There were a lot of tragic things that have happened lately, we can’t dismiss them, but we can turn to the One who holds the future.

Don’t Be Afraid This Christmas, as this message is for all of us.

God Bless.

O F J.