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Christmas
trees and lights, Nativity scenes, caroling, parties, and special food; all these
things can bring warm, fuzzy feelings to us this time of year as we celebrate
Christmas. But the first Christmas was not surrounded with such trappings. Instead,
on a least four separate occasions, angels exhorted the human listeners to "fear
not".
Perhaps the most memorable of those counter-fear statements is included
in the short, well-known speech of the declaring angel who appeared to the shepherds. "Do
not be afraid" He said. "I bring you good news of great joy that will
be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;
he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped
in cloths and lying in a manger."
We assume that the sudden and unanticipated
appearance of this bright and shining one was enough to bring fear into he hearts
of the shepherds. God's power was being revealed. It is also true that people
might fear the message they brought of a Savior; One to be accepted or rejected.
For all those who allow the "dear Christ Child" in, the first coming
is one of great joy. Should you be one who would turn Him away, remember, when
Jesus comes again, He is coming as conquering King. The message will not be "do
not be afraid!"
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise
noted.
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~ No
Fear 
