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Fear Not
The first Christmas was one of immense joy, but joy wasn’t the only emotion that night, and it wasn’t the first.
Emotions are not always easy to process. Somewhere along the line, emotions and men became a little taboo. Perhaps times are changing, and men can be recognized as whole people with emotional capacity. I hope so. But when I was younger, I distinctly remember absorbing the idea that “men weren’t emotional.”
That usually meant that men didn’t cry, but all emotions (except perhaps anger) were suspect.
You probably know today’s story. Let’s join the shepherds in their field, “watching their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).
The angel's appearance and announcement were a scary sight. This wasn’t the shepherds being startled by the unexpected—it was terror. The Greek literally reads, “They feared with great fear” (it’s the same phrase that is used to describe the disciples after Jesus calmed the storm—Mark 4:41). They were afraid of the power before them and what it meant.
But it is important to hear the angel’s words amid that fear:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Fear in this story brings us back to the Garden of Eden. It reminds us of Adam and Eve’s reaction to hearing God walking: “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (Genesis 3:10). Fear has been a part of our human experience as long as sin has.
When the angel appeared with news of the birth of the remedy to sin, his first words announced a reset of the human experience. We no longer need to fear; God has provided the remedy to the fear that accompanies sin.
The coming of Jesus offers an end to sin and to fear.
Prayer: God of love who drives out fear, thank You that the birth of Jesus is introduced with a declaration that we need not fear. Help me to live in the joy of Jesus’ coming every day of the year. Amen.
Reflection: What causes you to fear? Take that fear to God and ask Him to bring you the joy that comes with Jesus.
Scripture
About this Plan
In this Advent devotional for men, we look at the Nativity story, focusing on the different men involved in the birth of Christ and what we can learn about being godly men from their examples! Written by J.R. Hudberg.
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