That was the message of the angel to Mary (Luke 1:30), to Joseph (Matthew 1:20), and to the shepherds (Luke 2:10). In the midst of these angelic interventions, Mary was told not to be afraid of having God's favor. Joseph was instructed not to be afraid of taking Mary as his wife. And the shepherds were commanded not to be afraid of the Good News that was on its way to all people. As we know, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds went on to lay down their fears and to obey God.

Be not afraid! That might very well be a good way for each of us to begin this New Year.

"But why should I think about fear?," we might respond. The answer is: Because we all have fears, many of which we do not readily acknowledge. What are some of those often experienced, but often unacknowledged, fears?

Fear of change. We know we should change. Perhaps we know we should change some of our behavior in the church. But we are fearful of change.

Fear of facing up to new challenges. All kinds of new-year challenges await us. Fear is one way to put them off.

Fear of confronting our sins. We, in honesty, do not confess our sins to God. Instead, we justify ourselves in our sins. We are fearful to do what we should do.

Fear of people. We evade people who have something against us and people against whom we have something. We fear them.

Fear of rejection. We want to be liked by everyone, all the time. So, in fear, we avoid those who seem to reject us in little ways.

However, God's message to us -- Be not afraid! -- shakes us out of our habits, our routines, our lives as usual.

Be not afraid to do the right thing, the faithful thing. For God is with us, all the while. And faith (or trust) in God releases us from the fear that binds us. Released, by the grace of God, we can live the way we are intended and instructed to live.