Do Not Be Afraid

Luke 2:1-20
December 24, 2013

There was fear on that night.  There must have been.  On hillside and in stable, fear permeated the darkness.  Fear was a tangible presence held at bay by the dim light of a fire.  Fear hovered close, like a wolf waiting to snatch a sheep when the shepherd glanced away. Luke tells us of the shepherds' fear.  Startled by angels, surrounded by wild glory, they trembled and shook against the hard ground.  The sky and stars exploded into heavenly choruses overwhelming all their senses.  The angel voices, the dizzying brightness, the celestial praises; beautiful and terrifying.  Was this real or was this dream?

But theirs was not the only fear.  Mary and Joseph, consigned to an animal's stall must have feared what the night would bring.  There is no more dangerous experience for any woman than to give birth, and none more dangerous for a child than to be born.  Mary, so young, should have been encircled by other women, midwives and mothers.  They who had already done this woman's work would have guided her in this maternal mystery.  But only the deep, snuffling sounds of animals greeted the babe's first cries.  

And Joseph?   How could he not have been afraid?  Did he swallow his own fear and hold Mary's hand, whispering words of comfort to her in the hardest moments?  Did he mask his own terror at what might go wrong by reassuring her that all was right?  Was he overwhelmed, wanting to take her pain, but instead stood helpless as she endured alone?  There was fear that night.  On hillside and in stable, there was fear.

But that heavenly host, those angel voices, who caused the shepherds to quake, cried out, "Do not be afraid!"  They came not with news of terror but of great joy, glad tidings, divine reassurance.  A savior has been born! Their heralding cry echoed through the heavens and resounded across the earth.  Do not be afraid!  This is good news!  Do not be afraid!

Into that dark night, divine messengers reassured lowly shepherds, a baby has been born, God is with us. Do not be afraid!

What do we fear?

What makes us afraid?

Do phobias haunt us?  Heights and snakes and spiders and small spaces.

What do we fear?

What makes us afraid?

Do we fear for our safety?  In our neighborhoods and communities.  Do we shudder at the  permeating violence far away and right next door?  Are we the sad witnesses of daily small acts of indifference?

What do we fear?

What makes us afraid?

Is it fear of losing the ones we love?  Are we afraid we won't have enough?  Enough money?  Enough security?  Enough choices?  Enough time?

What do we fear?

What makes us afraid?

Are we afraid of being alone or being forgotten?  Are we fearful that what we hope and believe to be true isn't?  Are we afraid that what we give the most attention to will turn out to be meaningless?  Do we fear that what and who we dismiss will be what should have commanded our attention?

What do we fear?

What makes us afraid?

The angels assured the shepherds that their presence in the heavens was not a reason to be fearful but joyful.  The holy was born into the humble.  A rough shelter, home for animals, had become a sacred space.  God had come into the world in the most wonderful, the most unexpected way -- as one of us.  Do not be afraid, the angels proclaimed.  Go and see for yourselves the good news made flesh.  Go and see for yourselves the baby born in Bethlehem.
Do not be afraid.

The words of the angels echo through time and greet us this night.  Do not be afraid.  Just as it was on that night so long ago, Love is born in our midst.  God is born into our brokenness and our frailties.  Jesus is born among us so that our fears can be cast out.  Jesus is born among us so that our hope can be renewed.  Do not be afraid.  The world shall not be overcome by the darkness it creates.  Love and Light are reborn.  Do not be afraid. The hopes and fears of all the years meet tonight in an angelic chorus and the sound of a baby's cry.  All creation shouts out the glorious refrain.  Do not be afraid.  God is with us! Love is born!  Jesus is here!

Do not be afraid!

Alleluia!

Amen.