Fear Not!

One of the very first messages of Christmas was given by the angel to a young mother-to-be, Fear Not!! I never realized what a gift this message must have to been to her..... is to me....... and to each of us! Fear not Mary, though the social pressures may mount, you may feel like you don't measure up, like your family is not the ideal. Fear not, being a mother is not easy. There will be those who bully your son, who don't accept him and who even seek to hurt him.... and that hurts you, it's hard being a mom, but Fear not!!! Fear not, for the physical challenges will be great, you may not have the home of your dreams, (an apartment would have been something she could only dream of, let alone a small house ---- yet we feel we need so much more!). Fear not Mary, you may feel judged........ perhaps even misunderstood. Fear not when the end result isn't what you worked for....... for with God, NOTHING is impossible!!  

Then, to the shepherds or should I say providers, given the same message from the angelic messenger that first Christmas night..... Fear not!! It must have been a challenge for those shepherds, to sacrifice their wages, a day or two's pay to travel to see the baby Savior. Perhaps that meant they went without a meal, without their night off or gave up some of their vacation days and put holiness first to follow the star? What an emotional roller coaster for them and for those who work today, juggling work responsibilities only to come home to more, all the while trying to "follow the star" ---- to keep things in balance, that others may know Him because they know us! Fear not --- Follow the star!

When I look back, no two Christmases are the same..... from being a child with wishes, hopes and dreams, to being homesick in the MTC. Then, Christmas in the mission field, France, so far away from home, yet I followed the star and the Savior I found!!! Christmas heartbroken to Christmas full of joy, waiting for that call from away. Christmas with marrieds and it's not your year to Christmas when everybody is near! The message is the same to all, Fear not....... for with God NOTHING is impossible! I testify He lives! He heals! He soothes the pain, calms the troubled and lifts up the hands that hang down. That's why He came that first Christmas night! So, Fear Not--- Let Him Inn!!