Most Christmas seasons, for me personally, have involved many of the same familiar and predictable elements: family gatherings, exchanging gifts, singing carols, and eating my favourite only-released-seasonally ice cream (peppermint fudge crackle for those wondering). There was one specific Christmas, however, that stands out among all the others; Christmas 2005. In December 2005, I was 8 months pregnant with a baby that was supposed to be born in January, but who instead decided to make his appearance at 9:30am on Christmas morning. With Christmas being a Sunday that year, Oasis was hosting 2 morning services and needless to say, Dustin and I didn’t make it to either one. To describe these first few days as “chaotic” would be an understatement! We were not yet prepared with diapers and supplies for a baby at home and I felt even less prepared to be a mom. I will never forget the mix of both excitement and fear as we left the hospital; being grateful to be bringing home this healthy baby, yet simultaneously questioning my ability to be a mom.

Our ideas of the very first Christmas have been camouflaged and softened by beautiful carols… all is calm, all is bright, baby Jesus - no crying, angels that look like precious moments dolls, beautiful nativity scenes where all the animals are calmly looking into the manger, and Mary, who looks like she hasn’t just given birth but looks perfectly normal and well-rested (definitely not what I looked like!).

But there was chaos and uncertainty and there were fears in the first Christmas too. Maybe you’ve reflected before on what this must have been like for Mary, travelling and giving birth far from home; or for Joseph, who probably felt a weight of responsibility for the whole journey. And the shepherds? The telling of this story in Luke actually tells us they were “terrified” at the appearance of the angel. In fact, one translation even describes their state as being “sore afraid”. This tense emotional setting makes the first words of God’s messengers (angels) to all these people in the Christmas story stand out in such stark contrast: Do not fear! Do not be afraid!

Part of the good news of Christmas is that we can trade our fears for PEACE. Peace is available to all who trust in the promise of a saviour. When the angels announced “...peace to those on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2:14), we see a glimpse of the central message of Christianity: God sent a saviour into this world, and God has offered salvation to every person; not based on what we have done, but based on what he has done for us. Those who accept this are those “on whom his favour rests.” All of a sudden, I’m resting on God’s performance instead of my own, and when I embrace that, He gets all the credit, and I get peace.

Maybe you have fears that you have struggled with or are currently struggling with. Whether it’s situations you feel unequipped for or ways you feel you don’t measure up - The promise of Christmas is "good news of great joy for all the people”. God is bringing peace to this world through His Son, a saviour. Peace for the fearful. Peace for the anxious.