Do not be afraid.

“That would terrify me too!” The brutal honesty of a high school sophomore captured the moment best. Keegan Trefz’ few words brought to light what many watching the 2020 All Shepherds Virtual Christmas Pagent were thinking when the angel appeared. What on earth just happened.

Okay! It was not a real angel that appeared in the play. For those who viewed it, you already knew that. The angel appearing on the screen was merely my bad impersonation of the angel that glorious night long ago. Nothing that I could have done would have remotely depicted the moment and all its glory. And truthfully, maybe that is what made it so real and so impactful. My bad impersonation WAS terrifying. It was terrifying like that moment long ago.

The shepherds were terrified in that field. The night was quiet. They tended to the sheep and reflected on their day’s work. The hopeful expectation was for an eventless night and no danger to beset them or the flock. When all the sudden, that changed in an instant. Out of nowhere, a bright glorious angel stood before them. Not only were they terrified because something could be threatening them and their flock, but also they were awe-inspired by what appeared to them. What were they to do?

What are we to do? In a Christmas experience that we wish was eventless and not riddled with danger, what are we to do? The angel said to the Shepherds long ago and to the Shepherds here today. What we are to do is “Do not be afraid!”

“Do not be afraid! To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is the Messiah the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will find a child, wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” The child’s birth happens in the dangers of this night for you and for me. That is truly awe-inspiring.

Experience Christmas with us on All Shepherd’s YouTube Live Stream at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. We have in-person seating at 4pm and limited in-person seating at 8pm still. Whatever is happening in your lives, hear this promise. God is with us in the birth of the Christ Child!

Shepherding the Shepherds,
Pastor Craig