VBC 2023
I find myself feeling afraid lately, I think more than I have ever felt afraid in my life. Perhaps it's being responsible for toddlers, or realizing how little I can control events around me, or coming to terms with middle age and the brevity of life.
I'm no expert on this, but I am fairly certain that nearly every time an angel appears in the Bible, the first thing he says is "Do not be afraid." Funny really — the presence of an angel of God provokes, not peace or joy, but more fear. (As Linus famously recites in Charlie Brown Christmas. "And lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them and they were sore afraid."). Most angels are merely messengers, so it probably stands that the presence of god himself could provoke crippling terror. I think many of us assume if there is a god, his presence would be devastating. Game over maybe. The end.
In Rick Warren's book On This Holy Night, he asks: "What happens when you've been following a star and it leads you to a stable? What happens when all of a sudden, after thinking that something grand and glorious would be at the other end, you end up in the backyard of a barn? And there instead of a palace and a king on a throne, you find a little baby held by his mother?"
Whatever our expectations of god, I pray this Advent that neither our strivings (proverbial stars) nor our assumptions of who he is would keep us from what the shepherds found — a little baby held by his mother. In the presence of ThisWondrous Newborn, we find joy instead of fear.
I speak into my own fears something of the Christmas story — Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12
I pray that you may find joy in the presence of the Christmas Child. Instead of an end, a new beginning. A place where your fears resolve. And as ever, I pray that you and your family would enjoy A Very Brune Christmas 2023 this Advent season.
With Love, Merry Christmas,
Inkling-s