(John 1: 1-14)

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah he said “do not be afraid”

When Gabriel appeared to Mary his first words were “do not be afraid”.

An angel appeared to Joseph – don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife.

An angel appeared to the Shepherds – fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy.

The instruction most often given to the disciples by Jesus is “do not be afraid”.  There is fear that is feeling threatened and this fear that is being amazed (by the things of God).  Would that we ever had the chance to be in a world where we spend our entire lives trying to insulate ourselves, making our lives comfortable, ordered, and secure.  We live in an ideology of well-being where governments are voted in or out simply on the basis of how much more of less money they can put into our pockets.

Fear is the answer to being worried.  Being worried is when we take the responsibility for sorting out a situation entirely on to ourselves.  Fear is when we leave the responsibility with God.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It puts everything into perspective.  Would that we ever had the chance to feel afraid.

For us Christmas Day is likely to be a time of food – Turkey and Christmas pudding – presents and family and being together (a lonely time for single people nonetheless).  Worrying about the cooking times of the turkey is not the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom.  Would that we ever had the opportunity to be afraid.  Then we would discover for ourselves that all is well and all will be well.  Christ has overcome death and the world has been made in, and is governed by, love