In verse 20 of Matthew Chapter 1, we see the first of three “fear nots” associated with the Christmas narrative. The first one was to Mary when the Angel informed her that she would bear a son out of wedlock, without knowing a man. The Angel informed Mary not to be afraid of the humanly impossible feat. “How can this be?” Mary asked with a tremble in her voice. But the Angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. …For nothing will be impossible with God.” That’s good to remember when we face what’s humanly impossible.
Joseph was afraid to take Mary as his wife because he could not see beyond the natural realm. But the Angel appeared to him and explained the supernatural conception that had taken place in his fiancée and told him “fear not”. Many struggle at this time of year to accept the supernatural but the Christmas story tells us not to be afraid to believe the supernatural. Joseph immediately obeyed and took Mary as his wife. Immediate obedience to God and his instructions is the expression of faith in the supernatural!
Another “fear not” went to the shepherds in their fields. The Angel appeared to them and said “don’t be afraid for I bring you good tidings which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Christmas is the supernatural event that settles our fear of our eternal destiny. We need not fear death, for Jesus is the “savior.”
Chuck
“…do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20