“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
—Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC’s of Faith
In the Bible, the command repeated most frequently is “Fear not.” Or as many translations phrase it, “don’t be afraid.” Never in my life have I seen so many Christians disobeying this command so flagrantly. The level of fear in our country (especially, ironically, among Christians) is beyond comprehension.
The Bible says that love casts out fear. How can we, in this season, cast out fear? We can choose to love. We can consider God’s loving injunction: do not be afraid. Love, the Christmas story reminds us, is not just a warm feeling, but courageous action.
In the Christmas story alone, the words echo like a refrain. An angel greets Zechariah to tell him he’s going to be a father in his old age, and tells him, “Do not be afraid.” Zechariah doesn’t believe it, and is struck dumb because of his doubts.
An angel visits Mary to offer her a divine assignment. He opens the conversation with an assurance of love: “You are highly favored.” When she seems bewildered, he continues: “Do not be afraid.” It’s interesting that Mary is one of the few people who respond with faith instead of fear. The voice of love drowns out the voice of fear in her heart, and she not only believes, but agrees to accept the incredible challenge of raising God’s son (not knowing whether Joseph would stand beside her in it).
Mary tells Joseph what has happened, and he doesn’t believe her. He intends to let fear win, by putting Mary aside, divorcing her quietly. (He feels self-righteous, because he could have raised a fuss, which could have resulted in Mary being punished for “adultery” which in that culture was a capital offense). Instead, he decides to just shut her out. Ban her from his life, so to speak. (Is there anyone you consider a sinner that you would like to ban or push away these days?)
Joseph plans to walk away, leaving her as a single mom in a society where that meant shame, scorn, poverty. He plans to brush off a messy situation so that he wouldn’t have to have his preconceived notions challenged. How does he feel? Angry, betrayed, hurt? We can only imagine. But we know he was afraid, because of what happens next.
The angel visits Joseph, and again says, “do not be afraid.” Because although Joseph never said he was scared, his actions and intentions showed that he was. God saw into his heart. Was this really that terrifying an assignment, or one that just required obedience despite the inconvenience? Many Christians say that they are not being fearful (or racist) these days, just practical. Um, so was Joseph. He was being immensely practical.
(Is there anything these days that might cause you to fear, to want to simply cast another away because choosing to love would be scary, or inconvenient?)
But the angel called him on it, challenging him to replace his fear with love: “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” Don’t be afraid to give her love and a shelter and a home and a place to belong. Don’t be afraid to raise this child. Don’t be afraid to welcome something that you really don’t understand. Is it risky? Sure. Would there be struggles ahead? Of course. Is it all unfolding in the way you expected? No. But don’t be afraid.
Joseph takes the courageous route of welcoming Jesus in a way that he, as a devout Jew, would least expect. He never would have thought of the Messiah coming as a squalling, needy infant, but that’s how he came. Immanuel came in a distressing disguise.
The chorus of “do not be afraid’ continues as the story unfolds.
When Jesus is born, inconveniently during a government-mandated trip to Bethlehem, shepherds out in the countryside are told of the birth with the words “Be not afraid.” It’s odd that God chose shepherds, not religious leaders or politicians, to grace with that first announcement of the Messiah’s coming. Who knows if these shepherds were even educated enough to understand the consequence of what they’d been told?
Some historians and theologians believe shepherds occupied the lowest ranks of society. They had fewer rights than other citizens, including not being admitted in court as witnesses, and a reputation for stealing and dishonesty. It’s interesting how God chose to honor those who had been told they were second-class citizens.
Other scholars point out that the work of shepherding was often relegated to young boys and girls, and women. The “little shepherd boy” you imagine in the Christmas story may well have been a little shepherd girl—again the lowest rank of society, the least important person. Someone important, religious people considered “other” and “lesser.”
Take some time this Christmas season to examine your hearts. Do you find fear there? (If you think all Muslims should be banned or deported or registered, you are afraid. If you support the candidate spewing fear and hatred, you are afraid. You just are.)
Friends, please. Do not be afraid. Do not let the voice of fear and hatred rule your hearts this Christmas. Do not listen to the voice of fear. Instead, listen to the voice of love. Love extravagantly, love with great abandon. Do not be afraid.
I was sitting down to work and checked my email. I saw this blog post about fear which I struggle with. I was hoping for a wise godly word but again found an article based on the political. You have chosen a portion of the Bible to fit your offense to a political figure and then judge others ( your FAMILY in Christ)for having an opposing viewpoint. What about the plank in your eye! Additionally, maybe a fellow Christian supporting a candidate you do not support for more reasons than restricting Muslims. Maybe the people and tired of hearing about their own fears and how they need to LOVE others. Most of these people are HUMAN also with faults and emotions. They have families, responsibilies, most are just trying to live a meaningful life, however, they grow weary of the constant barrage from the world, media and pop culture that slams who they are too. Just as you have done today! I saddens me to read this because NO ONE is perfect. Absolutely NO ONE.
While I myself do not have those fears of Muslims but I have others and always will. As do ALL HUMANS. This is why I need CHRIST! Jesus also did not come to earth to unite but to divide! Also Jesus said things that incited visceral anger from the ruling political class and religious class. Maybe its time for some “crazy”(maybe some condemnation from Muslim community themselves) talk while INNOCENT people) are being shot and beheaded and raped by RADICAL Muslims. Another crazy thought, even perhaps fearful, is the Muslim community uniting with average Americans to denounce this behavior. And taking accountability for this and vow to alleviate this problem!!!! This last rhetorical question, why is it the problem and “obligation” of “us” to disprove our fears and prejudices?
Thanks for your comment, DeBeans. We live in a world where the spiritual and political are intersecting in interesting ways. That’s what I write about, if it offends you, you could choose not to read my blog. When Christians follow a candidate who espouses hatred, I feel it’s important to point that out. I’m not sure how pointing out that the bible tells us not to be afraid “slams” anyone. Or that challenging people to trust means they have to be perfect. I’m pretty sure that’s not what I wrote. Sure, we all fail–that’s why we need grace. That’s why we need Jesus. But grace and forgiveness should not be excuses to stay stuck. Rather, they should motivate us to grow–myself included, of course.
Your descriptions of the various people, from Zechariah to the shepherds, tells us so much about God’s grace in reaching out to his people and in giving them the promised Messiah who is also their Savior. Well done, Keri.
I confess to fear at times. But I also am glad for the strength God gives to be able to pause and examine that fear, and come to realize that the answer to the question “Just what am I afraid about” is “Nothing that matters much at all in the long run.”
Oh, I am so with you! I get so aggravated by scared Christians. And it seems like the men are the worst!