The joy of the Lord.

The Christmas story plays out in unexpected ways.

The angel speaking to the shepherds turns an ordinary night into something extraordinary.

An angel appears alongside a priest in the temple promising "joy and a delight".

The angel Gabriel is sent by God the text says to Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary and she is given the news of the century.

And in all three messages each recipient is told, cautioned not to "be afraid"

"Do not be afraid"

Do not be afraid shepherds.  Do not be afraid Zechariah. Do not be afraid Mary and elsewhere in Matthew,     "do not be afraid Joseph."

It appears that in each of the meetings there is the idea of "favour" merited in each of their lives.

Elizabeth states, "The Lord has done this for me...he has shown his favour.

Mary, "You have found favour with God"

The shepherds are graced with angelic song of praise and promise,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests"

As I read each of the stories I also notice that whatever fear was originally expressed, didn't stay with the recipients of angelic message. It seems they listened, heard the message and then praised.  

Each message came by an angel, sent by God and as unexpected as each message was, each person listened and accepted the message.  Then they acted in response to the message heard.

Their initial reaction was replaced with praise. I also notice that they didn't stay transfixed upon the spot they were in.  They responded and moved.

Zechariah eventually returned home.

Mary got ready and went...

The shepherds hurried off.

An acquaintance spoke about fear and things not going right.  We all experience fear, being afraid at times or other times the fear feels consuming.  And if you're like me, that's when you pray which isn't a bad thing but then this lady states, it's ok to pray but what we need is to move.  We need to move out of that position and into a posture of praise and thanksgiving.  We need to move out, beyond, ahead of those fears and believe that "God with us" is going to do what he has promised in our lives.

Sometimes it takes an angel.

Most times it just takes a step into the right direction. Obedience is what my friend calls it. And it lives on the other side of that fear. 

"Fear not, for I am with you."