Living Fearlessly in a Fearful World
The Gospel of Luke opens with the words “In the time of Herod.” We usually read over those words rather quickly, ready to jump into the action of the rest of the story. But the words paint a picture of the world into which Jesus was born. A world filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. A world in which there was plenty to fear.
And yet, when we read the rest of the story, we hear the angels repeat another phrase, “Do not fear.” “Do not fear,” the angel says to Mary, then to Joseph. “Do not fear,” the angels later say to the shepherds and the magi.
Is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world?
I would usually be quick to say no. But when I read the Christmas story each year, I am reminded that even when there was plenty to fear Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi heard the message of the angels, took it seriously and chose to enter God’s story.
They chose to be fearless even when there was plenty to fear. They don’t deny their fears – they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.”
Over the years I’ve watched my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world follow that example and live fearlessly even when there is much to fear.
Faced with the fear of buildings being burned, our brothers and sisters open medical clinics and daycares in their churches, welcoming and serving all their neighbors.
Faced with the fear of limited, or nonexistent, funds, our brothers and sisters boldly say “yes” to new land in new cities, choosing to build churches on that land, sometimes even before people have moved into the new cities.
Faced with the fear of imprisonment, our brothers and sisters place Bibles and other Christian literature in public places in hopes that they will be found by someone in need of the hope and encouragement offered by faith.
Faced with the fear of persecution, and even of death, our brothers and sisters choose to gather for worship, even streaming that worship into countries where worship is prohibited, choosing to proclaim boldly and joyfully that death does not have the last word.
Even with plenty to fear, our brothers and sisters around the world still choose to enter God’s story. To boldly proclaim God’s love. To courageously love their neighbor. They, like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi before them, don’t deny their fear, but they show us what it means to trust the good news and to say, “Here I am, Lord.”
The angels’ message is true, and Christ’s birth is good news of great joy for all people.
This Advent, when there is plenty to fear in our own world, may we too hear the words of the angels and choose to live fearlessly. May we have the courage to trust the good news and to join the chorus of believers here and around the world proclaiming, “Here I am, Lord.” May we insist on hope that trusts that good news is greater than fear.
Rev. Kimmy Briggs
Trustee
The Outreach Foundation