The Christmas feast is the ultimate celebration of God's love. We know that "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Because God's love stands central at Christmas, perhaps this is the reason why so many non-Christians also like this feast. People long to be loved. In a hard and heartless society where love is growing colder all the time, the quest for love continues. But often we do not get past the stage of cheap sentimentality.

For many people the search for love is a desperate, broken quest. It is hard to find a person who will truly love you in return. Even in close and intimate relationships, people are often afraid to give themselves unreservedly. Too many heart-aches and disappointments. We can become very cynical about love. In many instances we are afraid to love.

The world is filled with fear. We shudder at the horrors that are committed in the name of love. Some even say, "What's love got to do with it? What's love but a second-hand emotion?" And it is true: under the guise of love, many atrocities have been committed. But somehow the story of the baby in the manger strikes a chord: perhaps here is sweet love! Alas, the tinsel attention of the world is fickle and fleeting. The Babe is soon forgotten.

The End of Fear⤒🔗

Perhaps this Christmas we may focus on the theme: the end of fear. It is striking how many times around the first Noel and subsequent redemptive historical events, we read: "Do not fear." Let me highlight the version of events given in the gospel according to Luke.

When the priest Zechariah sees an angel in the temple, where he is serving, he is gripped with fear. But the angel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah." When Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, he says to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God."

In the song of Zechariah we find these words, "...to enable us to serve him without fear..." When an angel appears to the shepherds in Ephrata's fields, we read that the shepherds are "terrified." They have great fear, and the original uses the word "mega phobia." But the angel says, "Do not be afraid...".

This fear can be explained in part by the a la carte appearance of angels. If you suddenly saw an angel, you'd probably fall right off your rocker. But it is more than just fear of extra-terrestrial beings. The people involved knew with unmistakable clarity that they were suddenly in the presence of God. Who can stand in this brilliant light?

I also think for a moment of what happened to Joseph. He saw an angel in a vision and was also deeply troubled. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife" (Matthew 1:20). Obviously Christmas is a feast that powerfully dispels all fear.

God has come to us, Immanuel, and yet we do not have to be afraid. The fear of Adam in Paradise, after he sinned, led him to hide from the Lord (Genesis 3:10), "I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." Fear leads to hiding, seeking obscurity, lest we be found and indicted.

But the word at Christmas is: do not be afraid. God has in Jesus Christ not come to destroy but to redeem. He expresses to us his boundless love and takes away all our doubts and anxieties concerning redemption. Whoever receives this gospel and is unafraid to meet God has found the essence of Christ.

There is No Fear in Love←⤒🔗

The Apostle John has written these memorable words, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts our fear because fear has to do with punishment" (1 John 4:19). Christ has taken our curse upon him and borne the punishment for us. Therefore there is no reason to fear anymore. By God's grace in Jesus Christ through faith in him, all fear is banished.

Perfect love casts out fear. Of course our love is never perfect in this life. We do have our worries and anxieties. Sometimes a Christmas celebration can be spoiled by these anxieties. Maybe we are afraid sometimes that this child will one day rise up against us. But Christmas means the end of fear, if we embrace this Saviour.

I think of 1 John 3:18, which even in its beautiful context, is an excellent Christmas section in the Bible. Christmas is the end of fear. We can breathe again. There is new life. Let us embrace it in Christ. Whatever I may still be afraid of in this life, I do not fear meeting my Saviour Jesus Christ. He came once; he is coming again. It should fill you not with desperation but anticipation. "We have confidence on the day of judgment" (1 John 3:17).

1 John 3 is must reading on Christmas Day. Have a blessed festive season.