Luke 2:10 - Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."
Have you had any fear during this pandemic? When the first breakout occurred on our staff, two of them were hospitalized and ventilated. I texted with a third who was on his way to the hospital because of shortness of breath. I slept very little that night. It was frightening to all of us. Gratefully, all have recovered. Fear is subtle and will linger around you until it can find a place in your heart and mind.
Fear roots itself deep into the soul of a people in days of uncertainty. The first-century Jews were under the oppressive arm of the Romans, living as an ethnic minority scattered across the empire. Herod the Great had expanded the Temple mount to restore the Jewish Temple as one of the greatest wonders of the world. But Herod controlled the Temple by establishing his own high priest. The people of God lived in fear of him. The Roman occupation was evident everywhere. Uncertainty gripped Jews from Dan to Beersheba.
I found some interesting parallels in our generation. Political fear spiked in 2020. Pandemic fear caused us to stagger. Fear seemed to be the motivator of the day. Does God have a word for us in this moment?
God’s greatest work can be done in the context of fearful circumstances. God sent His Son to forgive us and be our comforter and Savior. Good news! The Lord has come for all peoples to have great joy. Rejoice today! Fear not for the Lord has come. Jesus came to bring great joy to all peoples.