“Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” As 2020 comes to a close, I think it’s important for us to look back and consider. How many times have we been fearful and stressed about the events taking place? How many times did we wonder if the world would ever calm down? How often did we wonder how the future of the country would be? Would we lose our health, wealth, freedom, or loved ones due to the unfolding events? In fact maybe that fear was indeed justified and you lost one or more of those things. 

In this world, fear is an ever present reality. We fear because of the numerous things that could happen to us or someone we love. We must fear because this world is dangerous. It is dangerous because of sin. Both our personal sin, and the sin of those around us. We are told in Scripture that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Unholy beings must fear a Holy being. We fear because not only is He holy, but He is powerful and will rightly judge us for our sin. 

When the angels showed up to the shepherds, they had good reason to fear. Both for their physical safety, as well as their spiritual safety. They were a part of the rebellion against this angel army’s king, God himself. When a king’s army shows up, all rebels should rightly be afraid. Yet this King’s emissaries, instead offer peace terms.  “Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” This peace is bought by the giving of God himself on our behalf. I hope this season is indeed a season of peace for you and your family. But never forget that the ultimate peace offered by the angels to the shepherds and by extension to us, was bought by the blood of Jesus. If you reject God’s peace terms, then you will indeed face the wrath of God when he returns a second time to bring judgment and to claim his own. My prayer is that you truly will have eternal peace with the perfect gift, Jesus Christ.