I’ve been thinking so much about the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary,
“Do not be afraid.”
Because they’re really easy to say, of course. But not always so easy to cling to or to
believe.
And I worry that, at our worst, we kind of see these words in scripture in a similar way.
We hear them said: ‘don’t be afraid’ as a strict command, rather than a gentle
reassurance. Perhaps an even better way to hear this ‘You don’t need to be afraid’.
This conversation between Mary and the angel shows us that, despite all the terrors and
uncertainties of the world, Mary did not need to be afraid back then… and, as we
usually learn with the Bible… the things that people learned then, can be applied to our
own lives!
It shows just how much God understands our humanity, our need for companionship.
Don’t be afraid Mary. You’re not alone. Someone that knows you and trusts you is going
to understand this in more ways than you can know.
God has put people around you who will celebrate with you like Elizabeth did and also
mourn the loss of what used to be with you; God has put people around you who would
love to navigate the uncertain future with you. We don’t have to be afraid. We are not
alone.
One of the fantastic parts about the incarnation of God in the form of a little baby is that
every single detail matters! Our situations and our challenges will be different from one
another’s… and yet we can still find common ground in unexpected, shared details.
The fact that Mary’s pregnancy began with these simply profound words of “Do not fear” meant that these same words would begin to build the foundation of her life as the
mother of Jesus. Surely, she must’ve revisited the angelic visit and reminded herself of
his words to her. “Do not fear; don’t be afraid!”
Don’t be afraid Mary. Your son’s reign as king of the universe is forever.
Don’t be afraid Mary. He’ll also be a baby who spits up milk and needs you to wipe his
bum. And on the nights when he just will NOT go to sleep, even then you don’t need to
fear.
Don’t be afraid Mary. He’ll be a man who touches the untouchable and feasts with the
excluded and weeps and weeps and weeps. Even then he will be carrying out the will of
his Father. Don’t be afraid.
May we begin to hear the words of the angel Gabriel a little differently this year…
Remembering that this message he delivered to Mary came directly from God… may
we hear and receive the care of an incredibly loving and empowering God!
May each and every one of us hear the invitation to not be afraid and to consider
believing that we are safe to receive it.
May we all consider what we need – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually – in
this season of big asks and allow our own needs to shamelessly shape our responses.
May we dare to believe that God has not left us floundering alone and, instead, risk
another glance at the people around us! Where are our Elizabeths? Who are the
Zechariahs who have similar shared experiences?