Today’s Devotional: “At Jesus’s Birth Fears Fade”

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.’” (Luke 2:10a)

There are many reasons why the angel told the shepherds not to be afraid. First, it’s only natural for someone to feel a little scared when they see such heavenly figures and the glory of heaven shining around them.

Back then, shepherds were viewed as lower-class citizens and religious outcasts because their work kept them from participating in the feasts and holy days.

From a religious perspective, they were considered unclean. So, regardless of what might have been in their hearts, they couldn’t fully take part in the community’s religious life.

But why tell them not to fear? Shepherds would have faced many fears. There were wild animals that targeted the sheep or themselves, and they also feared bandits for the same reason. Additionally, they would have feared the Roman soldiers who harassed them, and they had no one to speak up for them.

Now we can see why they would have been excited to hear the angels say, ‘Not to be afraid.’

But like everyone, they also experienced the fear of death. However, on that day, the Savior—the Great Shepherd Himself—was born to them, which we celebrate as Christmas. He specializes in removing fear from the human heart. He defeated the fear of death by overcoming the grave when He rose on the third day after being crucified.

But we don’t need to fear because of these good tidings of great joy that Jesus, who is both our Savior and the Lord God, the Great Shepherd, was born, lived a perfect, sinless life, and then died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day, conquering both sin and death.

And when this is fully understood, believed, and becomes a reality in our lives, then our fears will fade as well.