Be Not Afraid
Scene: Luke 2:8-10
Biblical Character: The Shepherds
Christmas Movie: Home Alone
“Ok Kevin we’ve passed the Halloween decorations. You don’t have to be afraid because mommy won’t let anything bad happen to you.” One fall when he was little, I said these words to my son Kevin as I pushed my shopping cart as fast as I could go. Fast forward about ten years and I have Devin in the shopping cart and we come upon the Halloween decorations.
“Ok Devin, don’t be afraid,” I said.
“No faid! Punny punny!” Devin replied
“You’re right about that! There’s no need to be afraid!” I smile.
I wish I could say that about everything. We all have fear of some sort. This holiday season, let’s remember that we don’t have to be afraid because God has everything in control. We must put our faith and trust in him.
In the movie, Home Alone, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister didn’t let the criminal duo called the Wet Bandits frighten him when he was left home alone by accident during Christmas. This crafty kid outsmarted two adult men and defended his home. Meanwhile, his mother raced across the continent to get back home to him. This kid had every right to be afraid but he overcame his fear.
On that first Christmas shepherds were watching over their flock when an angel appeared and they were afraid. Unlike Kevin they had no reason to be afraid because God was sending them a message of good news. Jesus Christ was born! Be not afraid, my friends, for Christ our savior is coming.
Emmanuel – God is with us.
Darlene Dickson
More About Scenes of the Season
The Advent season is upon us, a time when we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. This special season is full of familiar stories – from the family anecdotes that get told over and over again, to the holiday movie classics we watch year after year, to the well-known stories of scripture repeated each Advent. The four main characters in the Advent story, Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, each had their own unique way of preparing for the first Christmas. This Advent, we will focus on the scenes in scripture that tell their story, revealing to us how we, too, are invited into the narrative and become a part of the Christmas scene. Invite a friend to join us for worship as we experience the joy and excitement that Christ brings to us through the Scenes of the Season.