Be not afraid

Be not afraid

I go before you always

Come, follow me

and I will give you rest

--Be not Afraid Canadian Catholic Hymnal

We have nothing to fear but fear itself

--Franklin Delano Roosevelt

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

--Luke 2: 10-11

We live in a time of fear. We fear the other. We have set up detention camps on Manus and Nauru to keep the refugees out. We live in a world where it is ok for politicians to make racist statements because they are "standing up for the nation or trying to make their nation great again." We are taught by the media to fear those who practise other faiths, who have different skin colours, who come from other cultures. We are afraid of anyone who in not the same as we are.

But on that first Christmas, a child was born who was to change the world forever. He taught love. He worked to strengthen community bonds and not divide them. He changed the lives of everyone. 

Is it any wonder then that the message of the angels is to fear not. God tells us to tear down barriers and not build them. God tells us to reach out to the stranger and not turn them away. God welcomes everyone, and in return we are to be welcoming to all- and that is without reservations. All means all, not people just like me. Christmas may be about peace, joy, hope and love, but that can only be given when we put aside our fears. The good news is we don't have to be afraid anymore. Blessings.