Wednesday, December 25, 2024  

Today's Scripture
Luke 2:1–20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (NRSV)

Reflection

Evidently the first thing they teach you in “angel school” is what to say, because the angels always say the same thing: do not be afraid. Perhaps they say that because being greeted by an angel might just scare the socks off of you. More likely they say that because they know us, and they know that we are always already afraid.

It is worth noting that the angels do not say, “There is nothing to be afraid of.” If they said that, they would lose all credibility with us. I know it’s Christmas Day, and for almost everyone it is a day of rest, joy, celebration, and relationship. But it won’t take any more than to wake up tomorrow to be reminded that the world in which we live is a frightening one. Yet the angels are confident that even in this world we can live free from fear.

Why do they believe such a thing? Because a long time ago the love of God took on skin to live where we live. The love that makes sense of our lives and makes sense of the world calls you by name. That love can cast out fear, even in a frightening world.

Prayer
Incarnate God, let me walk through this world with confidence in the promise of the angels and live unafraid. In the name of the Bethlehem babe. Amen.

Written by Tom Are Jr., Interim Pastor

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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