“Be not afraid!” are the very first words with which the angel greets the lowly shepherds as they keep watch over the sheep in the dead of night. They are also the first words the angel Gabriel addressed to the lowly peasant girl Mary of Nazareth at the Annunciation. For good reason. Fear has a powerful hold on us!
May fear of what others may think of us, or do to us, not keep us from spreading the Good News of God’s love for all people which Christ’s birth reveals–especially God’s love for the lowly and the marginalized.
Sacred Scripture tells us: “Perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18) By immersing ourselves in God’s perfect love for us this Christmas Day, and the love we share with each other throughout this season, may we break through any fear that may keep us from proclaiming and living God’s love for all of God’s sons and daughters.
May fear never keep us from always doing the right thing!