There’s so much to ponder in the Christmas story, so much to consider about the surprising ways of God. It’s no wonder the angel’s first words to Joseph were, “Do not be afraid.” If we truly want to enter into the reality of God’s messy story, then perhaps these are the first words we need to hear, too. “Do not be afraid.”
Do not be afraid when God’s work in your life looks alarmingly different than you thought it would. Do not be afraid when God overturns your cherished assumptions about morality, justice, fairness, equity, or worthiness. Do not be afraid when God asks you to love something or someone more than your own spotless reputation. Do not be afraid of the risky, the vulnerable, or the impossible. Do not be afraid even when the mess looks like addiction, disease, depression, job loss, uncertainty, death , or the end of a relationship.