“Fear not, for behold I bring you Good News of Great Joy . . . “
“Perfect Love casts out all fear.”

I’ve met a lot of fearful people this week. Some of them are afraid of getting dementia, or already have it and are afraid of what’s going to happen to them. Some are alone and are afraid that they’re going to remain that way for the rest of their lives. Some are still haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past, that take many shapes, some being guilt and grief. And some are simply afraid that they’re not going to be able to afford to make a “good” Christmas for their families. I wonder what you fear?
Fear is part of living. It’s part and parcel of being human. But it’s not God’s desire. And that’s why God sends angels to bring a message that is completely opposite—“Joy”, not fear.

Angels hold a prominent place at Christmas time. They appear to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. They also have a significant role to play prior to this, as we see them—or more accurately hear them—being sent as God’s messengers to the people of old. Though they at times instill fear, their presence is meant to assuage the fear that people are feeling. They do so by reminding and reassuring not that “everything will be OK”, certainly God is no Pollyanna, but rather by delivering a package that is far more powerful than fear: Love.

The message of Christmas is that God is really, truly with His people. “Love came down at Christmas” as the hymn puts it. Immanuel means not merely that “God is with us”, but that God’s LOVE and other gifts are with us. Always. Even and especially in the darkest of days, when a person feels paralyzed by fear.
Fast forward to Easter. The disciples are hiding behind locked doors, out of Fear. Suddenly Jesus stands among them. After this encounter they are filled with Joy. Joy and the love of God fill their lives. The book of Acts provides an ongoing account of those who are transformed by this new life of Jesus. The life that He lives in them. The life that brings God’s love to them. It’s the same life and love He brings to you and me. It’s the same life and love that we give to others. It’s the perfect love of God that drives out all fear. That’s the message of the Angels. That’s the message of Christmas.