August 1991 – I was three months out of college and still had yet to find a job. Well- that’s not exactly true- I had yet to find a job with my human services degree that paid enough for me to survive and make the payments on my student loans that would be kicking in shortly. I was beginning to panic. And my mother took me away for the day to Kittery Maine and in the lenox outlet – she found this angel and she bought it for me. Fear Not- said the angel for I bring you tidings of great joy. Fear not- said my mother- it will be okay.
December 2011- The economy is distressed. The level of anxiety in the world can’t get any higher. People are struggling to make ends meet – depression threatens to over run our lives. The darkness seems to be never ending. And into the deep despair- we hear the whispered words, “Fear not.”
With our little nativity sets on the shelf so lovely and clean - we often forget that the real story is one of danger, pain and filth. The trip to Bethlehem was risky. Mary labored among animals- the smell and the muck. Jesus was born essentially homeless. So our creche sets that we view as a pretty, safe and cozy scene is actually a reminder that no matter how desperate the situation - God is with us.
"Fear not," said the angel, "For to you is born a savior, who is Christ, the Lord."
Fear not. Alleluia and Amen.