Do not fear.  Is that something you need to hear right now?  Looking straight into the face of Christmas, followed by New Year 2021.  I am sure it is not the emotion you want to be feeling right now, or the emotion we are used to feeling at this time of year.  But Tier 3, possible further lockdowns, sickness, death, bereavement, unemployment...  Fear for many of us might be right up there, at the top of the stack of emotions we are currently carrying around.

Sovereign Grace have a song on their Christmas album “Heaven Come Down” that deals with this exact issue.  The song “Do not fear” takes us through the Christmas story, reminding us that those God has redeemed should heed the command “Do not fear.”  And the reason we should not fear, is because we, as God’s redeemed people, will be kept by Him.

Verse 1 tells of Mary, who when she was told about the baby she was carrying, was told “Do not fear”.  Think it through.  An unmarried virgin, pregnant with a baby.  She had every reason to fear!  But the angel told her, “Do not fear”.  Mary was told not to fear because she was carrying the long-awaited Saviour.  Her baby is the promised rescuer and redeemer of God’s people.  As the song says, “The child you will hold is the Saviour foretold drawing near. Do not fear!”  Jesus is God coming near and so Mary was told “Do not fear!”

Verse 2 takes us to the shepherds.  The Angel of the Lord had come to the shepherds; the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.  The angel said to the shepherds “Do not fear.”  What was the reason given to the shepherds?  The angel said to them: “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 Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Once again, the command to not fear is firmly grounded in the fact that Jesus,  who is God, has come near.  As the song puts it, “The child in the hay is the Ancient of Days drawing near. Do not fear!”.   Jesus is God come near so the shepherds were told “Do not fear!”

We could leave it there, and it would be just another telling of the familiar Christmas story.  But that would leave us failing to hear something that is both important and wonderful for us.  Verse 3 of the song helps us to explore what we should do with this nativity story and helps us to see why we too should take note of the command “Do not fear!”  

As Christians, we often feel the pressure to be those who express no fear.  Maybe you have felt that throughout this time of pandemic.  You must be someone who appears not to worry, because you have a greater hope than your friends.  And yet your fear is real.  You fear for your health, the health of your family or your friends, the security of your job, how you will afford the Christmas you dream of… there is so much to fear!  It is exhausting and knowing you should not be fearing can cause even more worry and anxiety.  So how do we move from fear that feels consuming and takes up so much of our thought and heart space? 

We should turn to Bible passages such as Matthew 11, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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.”  Jesus’ invitation is gentle and real.  And it rings of the same idea behind the words spoken to Mary and the Shepherds.  They are told not to fear because Jesus is God come near.  We are not to fear because Jesus, who is God come near invites us to Him!  It is this passage from Matthew 11 that the third verse is based on.  We are to draw near to the One who has drawn near to us; to Jesus, the God who has redeemed us; to Jesus, the One who will always keep us; to Jesus who offers rest to all who come to Him. 

There will always be things that tempt us to fear.  Maybe you are fighting fear right now.  If that is the case, this song is for you.  Hear the words of verse 3:

“Weary children, be still and take heart
Every longing you feel is a cry
For the rest He has offered to all
Come to Him, for His burden is light
Do not fear, do not fear
The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near
Do not fear”

This song has a beautiful tune, and wonderful words.  You can listen to it on spotify or YouTube here…  If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then you can know the rest of casting your burdens, your fears, onto the One who offers to carry them for us.  “The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near.  Do not fear.”
 

Humble virgin, arise and take heart
You've been chosen to carry a son
Give no heed to the trembling inside
For the wonder has only begun

Do not fear, do not fear
The child you will hold is the Savior foretold drawing near
Do not fear

Lowly shepherds, look up and take heart
See the glory of heaven burn bright
Hear the anthem of joy and good news
Hope has dawned in a stable tonight

Do not fear, do not fear
The child in the hay is the Ancient of Days drawing near
Do not fear

Oh, do not fear
Weary children, be still and take heart
Every longing you feel is a cry
For the rest He has offered to all
Come to Him, for His burden is light

Do not fear, do not fear
The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near
Do not fear

Do not fear, do not fear
The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near
Do not fear, do not fear

The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near
Do not fear