Luke 1:13--But the angel said unto him, "Fear Not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John."
Luke 1:30--And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God."
Matthew 1:20--"Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
Luke 2:10--And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
Why were an angel's first words to someone, "Fear not?" Possibly because they didn't look like the sweet ladies with long blond tresses, in long flowing gowns with wings sprouting out of their slender backs. Listen to Daniel's description of them: "I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude." (Daniel 10:5-6)
In other words, big, glowing, and loud. Someone who would scare you half to death if you met him on a dark road. Even if the personage were not frightening, the messages they delivered might have been.
Angels only appeared in the Bible when it was absolutely essential that whoever got the message. The father of John the Baptist had to raise him in a certain way. The mother of Jesus was about to become an unwed mother to the Son of God. The shepherds had to find their way to the King of Kings.
Even today He wants us to hear His message: This is the season where we celebrate the King of Kings entering our world. Think: He left a cushy throne to land in the lives of a very young (probably about 14 or 15) and inexperienced girl and an uncertain man, a poor carpenter. They hadn't a clue what they were getting into, but God called them, and there they were.
Prayer: Lord, may we be as ready as they to have You appear in our lives. Lead us, Lord, straight to You. Grant us the privilege of kneeling before You and offering up gifts to You. Thank You for reassuring us that we have nothing to fear with You in our lives. We love You, Jesus.
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