Welcome to Advent!
If all goes according to plan, over the next four weeks we’re going to learn from the masters on how to not be afraid. Zechariah will help us try new things; Mary will help us more easily say yes to God; Joseph will help us leave our old lives behind; and the shepherds will help us stand out (and not because we smell like sheep)!
Angels keep confronting people throughout the bible saying “DON’T BE AFRAID.” How frightening!
Are they saying this because they look foreboding and we’d much rather live under the radar than be singled out by God?
Or, are they saying this because we spend our lives being afraid of life itself, wandering about in anxiety and fear instead of grabbing life, trusting God and going for it?
Maybe it’s a little of both.
All I know is that I would be right scared if an ethereal being showed up in front of my face and proclaimed “don’t be afraid!”
Not only was Zechariah taken aback when the angel showed up, but he couldn’t believe the angel. Because of his doubt, Zechariah was rendered mute until his child’s birth.
So, let’s practice in the mirror this week…
“Don’t be afraid.” “YES, God. Whatever you say, God.”
“Don’t be afraid.” “Oh, hi, glad you’re here.”
“Don’t be afraid.” “I’m not! I’m not!”
Good luck and Amen.