Do Not Be Afraid

I’ve always been struck by the repetition of the angel’s message, “Do not be afraid.” In the Gospels, they words are first spoken to Zechariah, then to Mary, and finally to shepherds. They are words that tie together the whole of the Christmas story. 

This week we turn to Mary’s story, to her encounter with an angel that left her perplexed (which is the same root word, tarasso, used to describe Zechariah’s fear). If we’re honest, how could Mary not be afraid? Let’s be fair, throughout history people have been afraid in far less tenuous circumstances.

How could Mary not be afraid when confronted with a celestial being out of nowhere? How could Mary not be afraid after hearing the news about her pregnancy? How could Mary not be afraid when she heard that her son would be the Savior of the world? 

Mary indeed had plenty to fear. 

And yet, the angel says, “Do not be afraid.” In fact, “Do not be afraid” is not only the first message of angels, but it is also the most repeated phrase in all of scripture, 365 times to be exact.

But it’s interesting that the angel doesn’t say that there is nothing to fear. I think Gabriel knew Mary had plenty of reason to be afraid, but Gabriel offered the message anyway, not to chastise her, not to rebuke her, but perhaps to acknowledge that her fear was real. 

Because notice what Gabriel doesn’t say. Gabriel doesn’t say, “Suck it up. Pull up your bootstraps. And get over it.” He doesn’t stay “Stop being afraid or else God is going to punish you.” Gabriel simply says, “Do not be afraid.”

And here’s the thing, there are still things to fear. Our fears might be different than Mary’s. Our fears might range from something seemingly trivial like snakes, to something far more complicated like watching someone we love suffer. But there is indeed plenty to fear. And maybe that’s why “Do not be afraid” appears 365 times in scripture.

So, why does Gabriel say to Mary, “Do not be afraid?” 

Because Gabriel knows that the news he brings is good news. It’s the news that God is coming. His words are a message of love. Love will take on human fear. 

And as John will later remind us, love casts out fear. 

“Do not be afraid,” the angel says. Because love is coming. And it is love whispering, “I’m here now. Do not be afraid.”

And maybe that’s the very message Mary needed as her voice trembled with her next words, “Here am I.”

Grace and peace,

Kimmy