“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.”  Anne Frank

You’re alone in your home, minding your own business, when out of the blue, an angel appears and tells you not to be afraid.  You’re in the field, tending the flocks, when suddenly a host of angels appears along with a brilliant light in the sky and speak, “Fear not!”  You’re in bed trying to make sense of the happenings of the day.  Your heart is filled with anxiety and worry, but an angel comes in your dreams and tells you that all is well.  You have nothing to fear.

All of these examples of God’s presence in our times of greatest need, seemed to be at the centerpiece of the Christmas story.  Angels, heavenly hosts, the Son of God and the comforting message of redemption were designed to get us through the most difficult situations in life.  When the angels said, “Do not be afraid,” it was for a number of reasons.  Heavenly apparitions are certainly not common.  Imagine if only one showed up at your front door.  Of course we’d be frightened.  Seeing such a sight would send fear raging through our veins.  The angels were in fact preparing those they were visiting, for an amazing event.

There’s more to it than physical fear however.  When we’re being told to not be afraid, God is speaking directly to us, through His Word, to comfort us and give us courage to move forward.  He’s assuring us that He is with us and He will carry us through any situation.

The Christmas angels had a most wonderful message for the world.  The ravages of sin would no more hang over our heads.  The promised Messiah, which God spoke of in the Garden of Eden, had come to crush every sin – past, present and future.  Knowing that the fulfillment of those words was now coming to fruition, would be and is God’s will being accomplished for us.

Sure, we’ll continue to be afraid in our lives.  There will be times when we don’t think we’ll make it through another day.  The devil and his minions still comb the earth for those who would join them in hell.  Misery loves company.  When we wear the armor of God, there is no need to fear.  The price for our redemption has been paid.  We can look forward to an eternity in heaven.  We can rely on God’s word to us -“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”