Fear Not

Every year about this time, the same scene appears on the screen as Linus steps to center-stage and reminds Charlie Brown (along with the rest of us) what Christmas is really all about. No matter how many times you’ve seen the movie or heard the scripture, the simple beauty of such great truth is always astounding. But yesterday, as I watched Linus tell the story one more time, I noticed something I’d never seen before. Linus drops his blanket.

He really does. He’s holding it as he steps on stage. He’s holding it as he begins speaking—“And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto then, ‘Fear not.’” And then he drops it. As soon as Linus says, “Fear not,” he let go of what had been his security—of what he had held onto when he had been afraid.

Linus isn’t the only fearful soul in the world. He’s not the only one carrying around insecurities and uncertainties. His just happen to take the visible form of a tattered blue blanket; ours show up in other ways. But just as God’s “good news of great joy” was so exciting and so compelling that Linus needed both hands to express his delight, so we too, because a Savior has been born, can release our fears and our failings and find rest in His peace.

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight” the carol proclaims, and the lyrics are true. Deep down, past all the externals, three things scare us most, and each was conquered by Christ. Our fear of insignificance (that we don’t matter or that we won’t matter) faded away when our Creator became our Savior. Our fear of not being loved (because of who we are or what we’ve done) dissolved the day He carried our cross, and our fear of the darkness of death (that all will end or that’s what after won’t be good) dissipated in the light of His glorious resurrection.

“Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Let go of your blanket and grab hold of your God.
He's worth both hands.