The angels are singing "Fear not!"

There's something about fear that is spiritually dangerous. Why else would it be recorded 365 times in the Gospels that Jesus told his followers to "fear not?" It's his most often repeated teaching.

It's not that fear is wrong. It's a natural and even healthy response at times. I'm sure Jesus felt it in the Garden of Gethsemane. When we feel fearful, we have to face it, understand it, and decide how we will be impacted by it. I'd even go so far as to say we need to honor our fear and listen carefully to it. It can cause us to make wise decisions and motivate us to take actions that save lives. Fear, when it serves as an alarm, awakens us to bold and loving choices to serve the common good, decisions that might even save the planet.

And yet, Jesus told his followers again and again not to be afraid.

Why? Many reasons I'm sure, but perhaps the deepest reason is that fear and love exist in tension with each other. Fear almost inevitably causes us to be guarded, protective, cautious, suspicious, blaming, and even confrontational. Love goes the other direction; it opens us up, causes us to reach out across dividing lines to welcome, invite, offer shelter and hospitality, be gracious and forgiving, and to risk being vulnerable.

Isn't that the message of Christmas? God choosing to be as vulnerable as we are? In spite of our fear, it's impossible to love as Jesus did without choosing again and again to risk being vulnerable for the sake of Love.

Come, let us adore him. And fear not.