There is nothing to be afraid of, this Christmas.

The title may sound like I’m saying there’s no pandemic this year, so we don’t have to be afraid, but that’s not what I’m saying at all.

When some of us in Western Australia didn’t take the injections two years ago, when they banned us from family Christmases and our jobs and from bottle shops and from other public places, to 'protect’ the populace, the reason we didn’t take the injections was because we wanted to say to everyone in our actions, there is nothing to be afraid of. You don’t have to live in fear, you don’t have to bow down to fear, you don’t have to bow down to mandates, you don’t have to be afraid. Speaking personally, I did not take the jab because I believed in Jesus to protect me from coronaviruses and government mandates and unemployment, and He did.

And freedom from fear is the message of Jesus, essentially, through knowing Him: this is a summary of what He says, “Trust in Me, and you don’t have to live in fear any more¹. I have conquered death, by dying on the cross, but I am alive forevermore², seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and I will share My throne with everyone who loves Me and who puts their trust in Me³.”

Indeed, it is good to remember that God became a human being 2000 years ago, but it is even better to remember that He Himself was the message of His incarnation, in other words, to know Jesus and to be known by Him is to be known by God Himself. To love Jesus and to love your neighbour as yourself is to love God Himself and be loved by Him and known by Him.

And it is good to remember that Jesus, the Judge of all, is the one who said from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) He is the one who says to us, “Take heart. Your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading. John 6:19-20

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feetand with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:12-18

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:20-22

Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash

1. John 6:20

2. Revelation 1:17

3. Revelation 3:21