12-23-12- Replacing Fear with Hope

4^th Sunday in Advent- 12/23- Luke 1:30, 38- Replacing Fear with Hope

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you will give him the name Jesus…”I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Luke  2:10The angel said [to the shepherds], “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all peoples.”

Thoughts: “Good news of great joy”- these are hopeful words.  Instead of fear, we have good- even great news.  Instead of the angel of death, we hear the angel of life proclaiming hope.  The angel was telling Mary that she was pregnant and about to have the Messiah.  She could have been afraid.  She could have been afraid of how she was going to provide for the child- especially if Joseph left her for being pregnant.  She could have been afraid of losing the man of her dreams.  She could have been afraid of what the people in the village thought.  Mary is a lesson of trust.  Instead of giving into fear she said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord may it be to me as you have said.”  The shepherds were also told, not to be afraid for God is opening up his hope for the whole earth.  We do not need to be afraid of God’s coming into our lives.  When He comes, He brings hope, strength, courage and life.   Let Christ in anew this Christmas- and do not be afraid of what others may think.  Christmas in part means we can replace fear with hope in Christ.

Prayer: Give me grace, O Lord, to not be afraid.  Help me to be a hopeful person.

Application: Come to worship and bring a friend.  Tell someone of your great joy in Christ.

 (Annunciation- Ossawa Tanner)

Shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light;
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King!
 (From “Angels from the Realms of Glory” #22)