"Fear not!"

​The angel shared with Mary, "Fear not, for God has found favor with you."
​~ Luke 1:30

There is something about this time in Advent that I begin to think about two women.  The young Mary, and the older Elizabeth, both expecting babies, bringing both excitement and uncertainty.

For both women, it was going to be the first time they had delivered a child.  Spending time together and sharing their thoughts about God's plan at this time in their life surely must have been interesting.  In many ways, Elizabeth giving birth first would help Mary to understand more about what to expect in childbirth. 

Elizabeth, in her years, watched many children come into the world, and grow up. But for her, this was something she had never experienced before.

Mary, a young girl, the immaculate conception had to be extremely frightening within itself.  Even she asks the angel, "How can this be so?"

Both learn they are to give birth through messages brought by an angel.

We don't hear of God delivering messages by angels much these days.  In many ways, we have been given the task of proclaiming the words, "Fear not!" to one another.

Twenty years ago I can remember preparing to graduate from seminary and clearly praying for God to let me know what was next on my journey. I sure could have used an angel to provide the words I needed to hear.  Struggling as a single parent at one point in my life, I can remember turning to God and asking, "I wish you would send me a message."

I have to ask, what would you do if an angel appeared and offered these words to you, "Fear not!"

Just because an angel doesn't appear with a proclamation doesn't mean that we are not on God's radar.  For most of us, it just means that we need to learn to wait a little longer! 

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2019