Do Not Be Afraid
What
a great message we hear - yet again tonight - from the angels. "Do not be
afraid" comes, so often, as the first thing that an angel of the Lord says
as soon as they have made themselves known to someone.
Now,
many of us may enjoy a supernatural being just popping in to say hello.
However, many of us may have more of a cultural than a biblical understanding
of angels. Culturally, we think of tree-toppers, 'guardian' angels, greeting
cards, etc. Some of us - and I'm talking about myself here - have collections
of dust-collecting 'angels' on a display shelf. They're lovely.
But
they're not biblical. Biblical Angels are a little - well - intimidating. They
are described as having lots of eyes, lots of wings, lots of faces. Usually: 4
heads, 6 wings, long legs, and a distinct purpose. They're not just floating
around looking to brighten your day; if they're here it's to do God's work, to
deliver God's message.
So.
These are angels as the people of the bible understood them. These angels are
wondrous, amazing beings: impressive, imposing, intimidating. These are the
angels saying: "Do Not Be Afraid."
We
hear this message all throughout the scriptures: Back in Genesis, God's
messenger says to Abraham, and Hagar, and Isaac, and Jacob: "Do not be
afraid" and then promises them the great blessings of comfort and peace.
The prophets Isaiah, and Daniel, Jeremiah, and Zechariah often speak of the
messenger from God saying to "Do not be afraid" as they are assured
that God is with them, guiding and supporting their ministries.
Then,
of course, we hear this over an over again in our Christmas story. An angel of
the Lord appears and says "Do not be afraid!"
The
angel Gabriel appears to Mary and lets her know that she has found favour with
God, is become the bearer of God's son; an angel appears to Joseph in a dream,
and tells him to go through with his marriage to his virginal yet pregnant
betrothed; more angels appear to the shepherds in the field, and tell them that
there is good news of great glory for all the people. "Do not be afraid,"
they all say. Ha! Too late! Their very presence is startling, it's fearful.
It's an 'Oh boy, why me?!' experience.
Mary's
at home. And she's by herself, which means she's in the inner room. This was
for her protection, of person and reputation. She's betrothed; no man other
than her intended (with chaperone) or her immediate relatives are allowed to
see her. So she's probably planning supper, embroidering her wedding dress,
something domestic. And in pops Gabriel; not just any angel, but one of the
best known of God's messengers.
Joseph
is in bed; asleep and also distraught. He's had his fiancee announce her
pregnancy- his fiancee, who he's never been alone with, is pregnant. Awkward,
to say the least. And he decides to save face with her father and to save her
life, and he decides to quietly end the relationship; likely this means he'll
have to move to maintain his own reputation. And decision made, an angel of the
Lord comes to him in a vision.
The
shepherds tonight - well, these poor folks are out in the fields. They live in
the fields - migrant workers, as it were, pulling a night shift. Poor,
uneducated, average folks, trying to make a living, staying in groups so as to
be a bit safer, a bit less isolated, able to help each other out should the
need arise. They're watching their sheep, who are not penned, they're out
grazing - and therefore vulnerable. So, the shepherds are keeping a close eye
on the fields to make sure all is safe, that nothing is trying to sneak in. And
suddenly an angel of the Lord stands before them.
"Do
not be afraid!" the angels say to them all. Too late, as we hear. Mary was
'much perplexed'; Joseph was stunned, the shepherds were terrified.
Now,
I've often considered that this greeting, this "Do not be afraid" was
the result of the appearance. I'VE imagined a POP noise, a different smell, a
prickling of my skin - my entire body would have a reaction to this sudden
ethereal appearance. So "Do not be afraid" would be fitting, almost a
message of "SORRY, didn't mean to frighten you there."
And
yet: that one line also conveys so much more. Because the angels are there for
a purpose. They're not just there because they're bored and looking for someone
to chat with, or because they have nothing else to do. They're not there by
accident, or random coincidence. They are there - at that time, in that place,
speaking to those people - for a very real, very important reason: they have
news to share.
And
it's not minor news: it's big, important, life-changing news. It's news that is
going to make everything different, for the folks involved and for the world
around them. Mary: going to be a mother; of the Holiest child. Joseph: going to
be the support necessary for Mary in that ministry. The shepherds: called to be
witnesses and local information source to the event, beyond the earthly
parents.
BIG
news. GOOD news. Of GREAT Glory. To ALL the people. The world will now be
different; salvation is at hand, the Messiah is here, the Lord. Everything is
going to be different. Nothing will be the same.
Now,
if the people of these scriptures were anything like the people of today, and I
suspect they were, they aren't necessarily too keen on change. Especially big
change, change that is beyond their control.
And
this news that they have heard is definitely bringing change. It may be
difficult, it may be dangerous, it may be confusing and unsettling. And it IS
happening, no doubt about it.
So.
Big stuff is about to happen, that will change the course of the world for all
times. And these few folks have been told that they are involved in bringing
about that change. It's intimidating, terrifying, overwhelming for them - just
as it would be for any of us.
So
"Do not be afraid" is exactly what they need to hear. In the midst of
great change, our people in the story really need to hear that comfort.
Do
not be afraid, Mary, that you will be responsible for bringing the physical Son
of God into the world. Do not be afraid, Joseph, that you will be responsible
for teaching and upbringing of that child, not your own, while also supporting
his mother. Do not be afraid, shepherds, that there are mystical things
happening in your region, about which others will doubt when you tell them.
"Do
not be afraid" the angels say, because God is with you. Do not be afraid
because with God, all things are possible. Do not be afraid because with God,
you are never alone. Do not be afraid because with God, all people may have
hope - and light - and abundant life - and joy.
What
a message from the angels. "Do not be afraid" is not just an
immediate response to the situation, but a comfort for the future as the
mystery unfolds. It becomes something to which all the people can hold on and
trust in, knowing that they are now first-hand witnesses to God's glorious
work. Do not be afraid; even if it feels uncertain and fearful and as though
this is not headed to Good News - do not be afraid, because God is here. With
us. Emmanuel.
Is
it any wonder that everyone gathered around is amazed? Everyone, by the way,
were likely Joseph's family and friends; they were all headed to the same place
for Quirinius' census. And we all know how family and friends gather when a
child is born! So there they all are. Gathered, in awe, in admiration, in
thanksgiving, at the babe. And Mary is telling them that the angel of the Lord
came to her. And Joseph is telling them that the angel of the Lord came to him.
And then these shepherds, who have no connection to the family, have never met
these people, who have nothing to gain by sharing their story - also confirm
that the angel of the Lord came to them as well.
And
so these ordinary people are now engaged in extraordinary ministry. The
opportunities may be fearful, but the possibilities are astounding. Mary: a new
mother, delighting in the life - that light of the world - that she has borne;
Mary sits, pondering these words in her heart. Joseph: a new father, caregiver
and protector for this earth-changing life; Joseph stands by, proud and loving.
The shepherds: still average people, not even known by name, the shepherds go
back to their work and lives as before, yet knowing that everything in the
world just got better; the shepherds glorify and praise God for all they had
seen and heard.
And
so the story is told: and ministry is encouraged. Those angels continue to
speak to all who might listen; and they speak to us today. Do not be afraid,
they tell us. Do not be afraid when your plans are changing, because when it is
God's will it turns out okay. Do not be afraid when life gets overwhelming,
because God will support you. Do not be afraid when you are living your
average, ordinary life, because it is through people like us that God's message
is shared.
So
do not be afraid: instead, be amazed at the good things God has done. Celebrate
being part of the family of God. Delight in knowing that we are part of 'all the
people' that this news has been brought for. Be moved and changed by the gift
that has truly been given us this night: the good news of great joy is here for
you, and for the world, for all time.
Do
not be afraid: for God, our Emmanuel, is with us.
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