Read
30Then the angel told Mary, “Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you,
10But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy.
Reflect
The other day two of my kids returned from a church youth retreat filled with biblical boldness. They had both, my daughter and son, (an unlikely candidate, in my opinion, for this type of thing) experienced the presence of God in a visceral, tangible way.
As they shared, I realized through their not so subtle hints, that they felt the Christian life of their parents was boring and safe. Way too safe. Of course, ordinary living always does seem boring compared to the highs of a retreat with its hilarious games, junk food and lack of sleep. That’s why retreats are so great.
But maybe my kids are a little bit right.
Even though, from the inside out, I think our life in ministry – my husband is an Anglican priest – has been one full of risk taking, maybe we are too safe? Maybe we are too afraid? Because the two things: playing it safe and being afraid, are usually linked.
I remember once my daughter lost her cell phone. We retraced her steps, including walking back to our church to search later that night. On the way, I felt an absolute compulsion to pray that we would find her phone. And yes, phones are just things, but for youth, they are a lifeline.
I was afraid to pray with my daughter. Because what if God did not help us find the phone? What if my show of faith ended up with a no-show from God and I did more harm than good for my daughter’s faith? I’d be embarrassed to list off the amount of times my prayers had fallen victim to that murderous thought throughout the years.
I did pray with my daughter though. Right there on the street. But I first admitted my fears to her. I told her I was scared to pray, but that I was going to anyway.
It’s no coincidence that “Do not be afraid” is heard again and again throughout scripture, and in particular in the Christmas story. And almost always when an angel shows up.
We are fearful.
We are afraid God won’t show up. We’re afraid that he will. And sometimes, we are afraid when he does. This Christmas, let’s admit our fear. And then get on with whatever it is he is asking of us.
We found the phone by the way.
Respond
Dear God, Protect us from being safe. Help us live dangerous, radical lives for you. Make us worthy of a house call from an angel. Amen
Karen Stiller
Karen Stiller is a senior editor of Faith Today magazine and an award-winning freelance writer. Her work has appeared in magazines and journals across North America. She is co-author of two books about the Church: Shifting Stats Shaking the Church: 40 Canadian Churches Respond (2015), Going Missional (2012); and editor of Evangelicals Around the World: a global handbook for the 20th century (Thomas Nelson, 2015), and The Lord’s Prayer (Wipf & Stock, 2015), by faculty at the University of Toronto (Wycliffe College). She lives in Ottawa.