We are familiar with the events we call the Nativity story. We perhaps even have memories of taking part in a nativity play, a tradition which is helpful in reminding us of the basic events but also adds in lots of things which aren’t in the bible. Nativity plays also often have the effect of making the events seem unreal, turning them into a made-up folk-tale rather than amazing, startling events which happened to real people.
At various points throughout the nativity story God sends messengers – we call these messengers, angels. They are not a biblical version of ‘Tinkerbelle’, they are imposing spiritual beings. The one mentioned in today’s bible reading has the name Gabriel which means ‘strong man of God,’ so it shouldn’t surprise us that whenever an angel appears, they need to say ‘Do not be afraid’ Read: Luke 1:26-33
For Mary, there is much more to be afraid of than the encounter with ‘the strong man of God’. Being told that she is ‘with child’ would immediately have cause her to think about the threat of ‘honour killings’ when the male members of her family discover this news. We don’t know how old Mary was but it is thought that in those times the usual age at which a girl would be given in marriage was thirteen. So, this young teenager has a lot to be afraid of, and adding to those worries would be the fear of what might go wrong as she gave birth. Mary would know of many women in the village who had died either as they gave birth or in the days following the birth.
Then, as she is coming to terms with her circumstances, she is told that she will have to make a long and arduous journey to Bethlehem – perhaps taking her away from her mother for the first time in her life.
At some point in her pregnancy Mary visits a relative, Elizabeth. She is someone whose faith in God encourages Mary’s own faith to grow stronger. Having found someone to pray with, Mary then finds herself speaking out lots of half-remembered phrases from the psalms. Each phrase perhaps helping her to remember the next, and each strengthening her faith and trust in God’s ability to take care of her. Read Luke 1: 46-55
Here are two simple yet important ways in which we can ‘not be afraid.’
Find someone to pray with, and as you pray allow scripture and the songs we sing to help you to express your feelings.
Immanuel, O Immanuel - bowed in awe I worship at Your feet,
and sing Immanuel, God is with us,
sharing my humanness, my shame,
feeling my weaknesses, my pain,
taking the punishment, the blame, Immanuel.
And now my words cannot explain, all that my heart cannot contain,
how great are the glories of Your name, Immanuel.
Graham Kendrick © 1988 ThankYou Music
The ‘strong man of God’ - Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to a son, and she is to give him the name ‘Yahweh Saves’ (Jesus). Here we are given the reason why we needn’t be afraid. We have Immanuel (God with us) and he will save us! God’s Saviour not only saves us from the ultimate consequence of sin, but also saves us into a new life - lived out in the light of God, a new life where no matter how dark the circumstances are the presence of God in our lives overcomes that darkness and saves us from any fear we may feel.
God with us (Immanuel) and God saves (Jesus) enable us to trust that no matter what we may fear, and no matter how dark life gets, God cares for us like a perfect parent. Our ‘Father in heaven’ wants us to trust in his ability to know what we need and provide all that we need.
Perhaps like Mary we need to find a person to pray with us (at a socially safe distance or over the phone) and together not just pray about our circumstances, but like Mary and Elizabeth ‘rejoice in God my Saviour’.
Sunday – two identical gatherings at 10:30am & 6:30pm
If a Church Leader doesn’t contact you over the next couple of days and you would like to come to church on Sunday, please contact me to book a place. If you are coming please wear warm clothing because the windows will be open. Thick-soled boots and a hat will be particularly effective in keeping you warm.
Friday There will be a ‘Guest Writer’ to stimulate you mind.
I am in talks with other local church leaders to see whether we can arrange an outdoor event where we can gather and sing carols - Stephen