Pastor Steven Teo

Fear Not

The Christmas Story

Luke 2:8-11 (KJV) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel of the Lord said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

It is striking that the first human emotion encountered by the angelic messenger was that of fear. History tells us that Jesus was born at a time of weariness and widespread despair among men and among the nations of the earth. It was a hard pagan world, full of disgust and wickedness that made the human existence a living hell. Men were afraid in that day. They were afraid of many things.

Perhaps the most striking thing about this story is that we can so easily put ourselves back into that situation of fear – for by far the dominant mood of the hour today is that of fear.

In many cities across the world, people are afraid to go out of their homes. They fear being assaulted, mugged, injured or killed if they stepped outside their door. Cops must now ride public transport in order to protect people. Post 9/11, one is constantly reminded of the risk associated with air travel – holidaying spots around the world are now potential targets for mindless wickedness. Hotels are no longer a safe haven. Closer to home, road rage is a common affair. Crime has mounted to such a degree that people are afraid to walk the streets at night. You would be a brave soul to walk the streets of the City of Melbourne at night!

Isn’t it amazing that despite all the technological advancement and enlighten laws, society as a whole has made little progress in solving the basic problems of humanity in all these 2000 years?

Fear Not!

Yet the first word from the angel to the shepherds was fear not – do not be afraid. I do not think any greater news can come to us than that announcement. The fear not announcement came because a Savior was born. The Deliverer was born – because of the presence of the Deliverer, the shepherds need not be afraid of anything.

I learned that the words fear not appear exactly 365 times in the Bible – one for each day. The Savior is born – so fear not. He is adequate enough to free us from any threat and danger in any situation. The shepherds were told not to be afraid. It did not make any difference what Herod or the Romans would do, or what clever, manipulative minds of men would try to set in motion – there was the Deliverer, the Savior among them.

Our Redeemer is here – He would change our situation. And what was meant for evil, the Savior would turn it for good. He will use our difficult situation for His own glory. So fear not! That is the exciting story of Christmas. Having said that, fear not is the passive part. God wants us to move beyond this into the proactive part of great joy.

Great Joy

The scripture says, For I bring you tidings of great joy. I think this suggests to us what the presence of Jesus in our lives ought to bring us – not only the absence of fear but the presence of joy. This joy is not intended to be a once-for-all experience. It is meant for us as a living condition. God’s peace and joy is an abiding one so that we can continue to discover and re-discover the wonderful fulfillment of the angelic announcement in every facets of our lives.

The Conclusion is ...

No matter what our difficulties may be, the promise of Christmas is that we have a Savior, a Deliverer specially designed to handle our problems, a Savior who is always with us. If we remember that, and look to Him, He will take us through. He does not promise to take away our problems but He will take us through them. He will strengthen us; give us courage, peace and joy in the midst of it.

So rest your soul and have a blessed Christmas and look forward with great joy to 2011!

Ps Steven Teo
24th December 2010