Christmas Eve – December 24, 2024

The inspiration for our Advent theme came from the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” This phrase is an instruction God gave to the people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today. We were invited to explore what it looks like to hold hope when life feels really uncertain, to bring peace in the face of fear, to practice joy when everything seems burdensome, and to choose love, when sometimes, it’s just really hard. We were invited to wonder more deeply about this classic story and to imagine some of the details that haven’t been filled in for us.

In the Gospel reading, we heard how the angels visited the shepherds in the fields, and how the angels’ rejoicing filled the sky. Their celebration happens as they proclaim a promise that has come to be. The shepherds leave their fields because of the angels’ song. But as they return to their fields after visiting the baby Jesus, it is their own song that leads them home. What they have heard and seen in that manger mild pours forth from them as praise.

When the angel comes to Mary, it’s with wildly unbelievable news… she is to be the bearer of the child of God. And as her belly grows rounder – as she lives the proof of the baby growing in her – I wonder how her memory of the encounter with that angel changed.

How does the angel’s visit to the shepherds get remembered years down the road? How does Mary’s visit from the angel shape her memory?

“Do not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Lk 2:10).
“Do not be afraid.” I know you feel sadness at the loss of loved ones. “When Jesus saw her weeping… he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. … Jesus began to weep” (Jn 11:33,35).
“Do not be afraid.” I know you feel unprepared for life. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

God continues to send angels to us. I wonder if God sent angels back to the shepherds when they had returned from Bethlehem. “Do not be afraid,” shepherds, for your story is important! It must be told.

I wonder if God sent an angel to Mary to check in when Jesus was an obstinate teenager. “Do not be afraid,” Mary, for all kids have this independence phase. He is still my son and the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, Almighty God.

I wonder if the angels are still breaking into our lives today, to tell us, “Do not be afraid!” Each time they appear, do they urge us towards courage and remind us of God’s goodness? I wonder if we, indeed, might be those angels – those agents of God – to and for one another, when we offer one another the gifts we recounted through Advent:
When we hold out HOPE for one another,
When we work to bring PEACE – just and lasting peace – to the world,
When we practice JOY regularly, and
When we choose LOVE at every turn, in every way we can.

Do not be afraid. There is much to mourn and a great deal to resist. Do not be afraid. Be careful. Be wise.

Do not be afraid. God is with us in all things. Always. Even now. MOST IMPORTANTLY NOW.

Do not be afraid. For tonight, hope has been born. Peace fills our land. Joy abounds. And love – pure love – radiates to all corners of the earth. Merry Christmas!