Lines by Lee

At Christmas, certain things just go together. There is mistletoe and holly, Bing Crosby and White Christmas, red and green, Mary and Joseph, Santa and reindeer, milk and cookies, fruitcake and...jokes. But as Christmas approaches, let us consider how fear and peace go together.

As the dreadful calendar year of 2020 draws to a close there are many people living in fear. Kids fear Santa will find them being naughty instead of nice. Parents fear the credit card bill. Some fear for the future because of finances, transitions, turmoil, and the unknown. Many fear that the virus spread will worsen and cost more people their lives. In the spring, it just seemed like it was something serious, but distant. Now we all know people who had or have Coronavirus, probably even relatives. As I write this sentence a lady from my church is texting me about the deteriorating condition of her father as he battles COVID-19. He is afraid and so is his family.

One thing that people dealing with fear need desperately is peace. It was true for Mary and Joseph and the other original Christmas cast members. Peace is vital for those living with various fears in this challenging year.

It began with an angel appearing to a young virgin named Mary. For us, seeing an angel may remind us of a powerful image we have seen in a movie. Mary never saw a movie. But when she saw Gabriel, she was naturally fearful. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus (Luke 1:28-31). The messenger's words quickly turned Mary's fear into peace. The one who was greatly troubled was also highly favored. She would give birth to the very Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

After Joseph heard about the pregnancy, he too was troubled and fearful. This just man had a decision with which to wrestle. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21). Joseph went from fear to waking up realizing he would team with Mary to raise the very Messiah he and his ancestors were longing for to bring peace between God and mankind.

Scripture basically says there were shepherds doing their job one night. They might have feared a wolf or getting a bit cold. But when they saw one angel they were filled with fear (Luke 2:9). On rare occasions I have been filled with fear. It is a terrible feeling! Yet the shepherds were immediately told to "fear not" (10). A baby was born not just to and for his parents but "unto you" (11) a Savior, Christ the Lord is born. This they would have to see! First, they would see and hear a message from a whole heavenly host of angels – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased (14)! Now those who mostly knew fleece would find the one who could bring them peace (John 16:33).

Biblical peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of something better. The shalom of the Old Testament has a richer meaning in the New Testament because of what Jesus can do for those living in fear and in their sin. Peace means being complete or whole. It has the idea of nothing missing. Peace relates to one's spiritual well-being.

Jesus' name means salvation. Apart from Christ a person is not complete. Something is missing from their life. They are not whole, so they attempt to fill the holes in their lives with all kinds of substitutes. Christmas matters because of what Christ offers. His priceless gift of peace by grace must be received or fears and failures will continue.

Before He died for mankind Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). There we see peace and fear together again. The gift of peace removes the fear and trouble in one's heart. No money in the world can buy what Jesus wants to give.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us (Romans 5:1). When we celebrate Jesus' birth we realize we are recognizing why God became man. He humbled himself to be obedient to death so we can be brought to God and have peace with him. While we may fear people breaking our heart and leaving us, God never will. His peace and love are complete.

The following verses explain well what the Father had in mind with his Christmas plan. He had us in mind and knew that his Son was the only way we could be brought to God. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 19-20). While childbirth can be messy, painful and scary, it at least brings life. The cross brought death. But that means rebirth and eternal life for those who receive the gift.

Ephesians 2:14-17 continues the peace theme by simply stating that Jesus himself is our peace. It speaks of the barrier and wall that keeps us away from God. But Jesus was born so he could make peace (15) and preach peace (17). As the Prince of Peace, he is well qualified to do so.

Knowing Jesus and having his peace may not eradicate fear from our lives. However, when we have Jesus, we have all we need to handle our fears through faith. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness (Colossians 2:9-10). Think of these wonderful gifts we enjoy every day...Freedom, Fullness, Wholeness, Forgiveness, Grace, Hope, Love. Nothing goes together at Christmas like God and his children. Jesus brings us together. Fear not. Live in peace and know that God's favor is upon you.