A Fearless Christmas

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2)

This Christmas, I don’t have to be afraid—of anything. Can you say that today? If you’ve made Jesus the Lord of your life and the king of your heart, you can. 

When Micah prophesied about that coming ruler (Micah 5:2) all those centuries ago, it was at a time—not unlike today—fraught with war and uncertainty; it was a fearful time. And no doubt many people lived in fear of the next conflict or calamity—just as we are tempted to do now. That’s when God’s Word came down with hope: a ruler was coming who would banish fear. 

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:4-5)

I grew up as what you might call a fearful boy. I was afraid to go to sleep in the dark, to change a tire, or even to talk to another person at lunch. I just never was sure I wouldn’t fail or fall or experience something outside of my control. And that put me in a prison of my own making. 

Then, when I heard about Jesus, I was even more afraid. If I didn’t obey this king, my whole life was forfeit. But I didn’t know how to not be afraid. Fear didn’t obey when I told it to leave. It just reached up and choked the breath out of me. 

That was—until Jesus spoke to me. He said, Don’t be afraid, just as He had to John the apostle when he saw Jesus. Revelation 1:17-18 says, But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

At last, the God of the universe who created all people and powers had reached out to me to make my fear go away. Now, I belonged to Him, and I was covered by His mighty hands that held the world. He could command my fear to leave, and so He did, with patience—again and again. And He does still. 

John later prophesied and said, And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come.” (Revelation 12:9-10) 

When Jesus came that first Christmas in Bethlehem, it was the beginning of the end for our enemies—and for fear itself! One day, there will be no more cause for fear in the world—because Jesus will be reigning! And even now, today, there is no need for me to fear—for any child of God to fear—anyone or anything. Jesus is here, God with us. 

So, this Christmas, worship the one whose perfect love came to cast out fear. Spend time in His presence and share the goodness of His grace and love with someone who needs to discover it. May the Lord conquer all our fears! 

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.