December 24

“Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Holy One. – from Luke 2:1-20

Rev. Amy Johnson, Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice

“It’s better to teach people than to scare them, Lauren. If you scare them and nothing happens, they lose their fear, and you lose some of your authority with them. It’s harder to scare them a second time, harder to teach them, harder to win back their trust. Best to begin by teaching.” – from Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

 

“Do not be afraid” may sound like a platitude at a time when Empire is flexing its white, cis-heteronormative, colonialist, capitalist, patriarchal muscles to remove rights, dignity and humanity from God’s beloved children.

Parable of the Sower reminds us that leaders who use fear to control people, lose trust. And the Gospel of Luke tells us not to be afraid at all. There is good news of great joy for all the people: a proclamation calling us not to believe in the lies of privileged and power-hungry leaders, but to remember there is good news born among us—good news for the entire community.

When we unite in community instead of fear, we unite in communion with God’s creation.

When we unite in communion with God’s creation, we unite in care for one another.

When we unite in care for one another, we find connection–a gift from the God who became human to be in relationship with each of us, no matter what the world and empire are serving up on any given day.

“Do not be afraid” becomes our abolitionist cry of freedom. As we refuse to surrender our fear to power, so we reclaim the good news of community and love, dwelling among us.

Prayer

Saving One, who is here and still on-the-way,
infiltrate our hearts with love and evict all fear.
May our love for you and love for our community strengthen us
and embolden us to be a force for justice in this world,
greater than any fear that divides us.
With this good news, wrap your loving arms around us
and give us peace. Amen.