God Speaking

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18)

Talking about fear or being afraid is not the usual topic for the Christmas season, but I have always been fascinated by how often those words appear when God wants to speak to his children. When the young virgin, Mary, is suddenly confronted by an angel, the angel Gabriel immediately reassures her when he can see that she is very troubled by his words;

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30)

And again a group of poor shepherds, who are very startled by the glory of the Lord shining upon them, are calmed by the angel when he sees they are terrified;

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Our Heavenly Father constantly reminded his children that they need not fear while they trusted him. Moses reminded the children of Israel, of God’s promise;

“See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 1:21)

The psalmists repeated the promise to themselves;

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid…” (Psalm 56:3 – 4)

Fear is a great robber of joy. The Lord knows that in this fallen world all of us will experience some sort of fear, but the wonderful message the angels were thundering from the sky was that the Precious One, Immanuel, had arrived. Perfect Love had entered the world in the form of the Christ Child. The power of fear to destroy us has been defeated by his perfect sacrificial love.

“There is no fear in love, But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18)

The best gifts we ever receive are those prompted by real love so as we celebrate this Christmas let us focus on the most incredible gift ever given to man. We have been given perfect love embodied in a tiny baby, the Son of God, sent by love, born to love all mankind.

I just read of a beautiful song that fits this message of love.

Perfect Love Song

I hear a melody inside my heart

Every time I begin to think of how You care for me

Beautiful harmony

To know that I am in love with You and You with me

You are the lyrics to a perfect love song

I love you Jesus, You are the lyrics to a perfect love song.

May we be aware of this perfect love so freely given to us as we rejoice with the Heavenly Host;

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14)