Village Schools of the Bible

Christmas Fears
By Max Frazier, Jr.

As I read the accounts of Matthew and Luke concerning the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I am impressed with the fact that, with the exception of the wise men (magi), everyone in the Christmas story expressed a fear of some kind at the announcement of that blessed event.

We often associate Christmas as being a time when all the world rejoices and is in kind of a carefree state, but I think that the Scriptures would indicate that that is not the case. There are millions of people around the world who are in a state of deep fear when they approach the announcement of the coming of the Lord Jesus. Those fears that plague so many today were very much present at that first Christmas, now over two millenniums ago.

Let us ponder these people and the fears that possessed their lives and how they met and conquered those fears.

Mary: Fear of Personal Responsibility - Luke 1:26-38

God had given Mary His free and unmerited grace in an unique measure by choosing her as the mother of His Son. In verse 29 we read of her reaction: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Mary recalled certain other similar greetings in the Old Testament. There was God's greeting to Gideon in Judges 6 inviting Gideon to do something impossible: The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hands. Am I not sending you? (verses 13b-14). There was God's greeting to Abraham in Genesis 22 asking Abraham to do something extremely difficult: Abraham! Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about (verses 1-2). Then, there was God's greeting to Jeremiah inviting the prophet to do something very frustrating: See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant (Jeremiah 1:10). Finally, there was God's greeting to Jonah asking the prophet to do something very dangerous: Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me (Jonah 1:2). So, why shouldn't Mary be frightened?

But the angel tells her not to be afraid because God has regarded her and treated her as the special object of His favor. In verse 38 Mary finally responds: I am the Lord's bondservant. May it be to me as you have said. She had accepted by faith the announcement of the angel even though she did not have full comprehension of its significance or of how the process would work.

Mary was fearful of the responsibility involved in being the mother of the Son of God. The task would be awesome! How did a person raise the Son of God? There were no books on the matter for her to read. No one had ever done it before. Who could she turn to for advice when the going was tough, or would the going ever get tough? How would you have responded if the angel had told you that God had chosen you to be the mother of His Son?

But, you know God has called and chosen us to be something much greater than that of being the mother of Jesus. We have been chosen to go and tell others of Him. Jesus proclaimed, You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last (John 15:6).

How many Christians do not fulfill God's plans for their lives because they are afraid of the responsibility. We need to be like Mary and accept what God has planned for us and let Him take full control of our lives. We probably won't understand how it all will work, but we certainly can learn to trust Him.

The Shepherds: Fear of Personal Unworthiness - Luke 2:8-16

Shepherds were despised by the orthodox Jews because they were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law. All the hand washings, all the rules and regulations really had little merit to these men who lived their lives in the fields.

Tradition states that these shepherds were probably watching over the flocks to be used in the daily sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. Some scholars even believe these were the flocks destined for the Passover observances that spring. But, it was just another ordinary night to them. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were terrified (verse 9).

I have often wondered how I would respond today if the glory of the Lord came to me in such a manner. I am sure that my knees would buckle under me and then knock together and my teeth would chatter. Why is this? Because we feel so unworthy to stand in the presence of a holy God. How many times do we fear to approach God because of our feelings of unworthiness? We cry out, "Oh God, You can't love me! God, look at who I am! I am the chiefest of sinners and I am unworthy of You"

When those times come, we need to remember the words of Jesus: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Friends, does that sound like a God who will turn you aside? Does that sound like a God who would slam the door in your face? Hardly!

We should never be afraid to approach God because of our unworthiness. Remember that God loved you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That is a clear demonstration of your worth in the eyes of God!

Joseph: Fear of Personal Cost - Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a very deeply religious man and kept very strict observance of the laws. He was to have Jesus circumcised on the eighth day and presented an offering, just like the law demanded. He took Jesus to the Temple when He was just twelve years old. The Bible describes Joseph as a "righteous man."

Now, hearing that his fianc`e was pregnant, Joseph was in a quandary. There were three options available to him. He could quickly marry Mary and hope that no one could count to nine very well. Or, he could bring Mary before the elders of the village and have her stoned for adultery. Or, he could send Mary away, thus breaking off the engagement that would amount to a legal divorce. Joseph weighed the costs that he was to bear.

Today many people refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord on the basis of what the cost might be in their lives. There is the fear of what their social circles might say. There is the fear of what their families might say. There is the fear of how their co-workers might respond?

How did Joseph conquer his fear? He knew that God was there. How we need the reminder of the promise of First John 4:4, You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Jesus says that we must consider the cost. We must carry our crosses. We must expect suffering and persecution. But He is there with us to see us through those times, for we hear His words: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Herod: Fear of Personal Jealousy or Greed - Matthew 2:1-3

Herod was a man who was possessed with an abundance of fears. Behind every tree he thought he always saw an enemy who was out to usurp his power. He was suspicious of everyone, even his own family members. To get on Herod's nerves was a ticket to losing one's life. The list of those he destroyed is long and includes: his wife, his brother-in-law, and three sons.

Herod, when he heard about a new King of the Jews, wanted to destroy Christ because he felt that Christ was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, and his influence. To ensure the success and the survival of Herod, the baby Jesus had to be eliminated: When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi (Matthew 2:16).

There are many people today who would gladly destroy Christ because they see in Him the one who interferes with their lives. Submit to Jesus? Absolutely not! He might ask me to go to Africa or India. Worship Jesus? No way! He would probably ask for some of my money and perhaps some of my time. Yield to Jesus? Positively not! After all, He might change my career plans. And I do not want any of those things to happen.

We need to remember that our lives belong to Him and He knows what is best for each one of us. Jesus told His disciples: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

Conclusion

Let me ask you, this Christmas Season, what are the fears in your heart as you approach the manger there in Bethlehem? Are you like Mary, afraid of the personal responsibility? Then accept the fact that God has chosen you and will give you the strength that you will need to accomplish what He has created for you to become and to do.

Like the shepherds, are you filled with the fears of personal unworthiness? Then remember that God loved you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you. Friend, that is the only reason why there is a Christmas.

Like Joseph, perhaps you are fearful of the personal costs. Then remember that God will be with you to deliver you when the times of testing come. You shall then come forth as pure gold.

Finally, are you like Herod, possessed with the fears of a personal jealousy or greed? Then remember that Jesus has come to give you life more abundant than you could ever experience in your own selfish way.

As Phillip Brooks wrote many years ago, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."

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