Why is it that whenever an angel of the Lord appears, the first thing they always say is “do not be afraid”? It’s guaranteed that if an angel comes along and they will tell you ‘don’t be afraid’; lots of great reasons to be afraid will follow!

In Matthew 1:18-25 an angel appears and delivers the unsettling news that it is the Lord’s will that Joseph not divorce or dismiss Mary, who is pregnant, and very surely not with Joseph’s child. The unspoken part of the angelic message was that Joseph was to become a part of a greater story that was unfolding. All beginning for him with a simple invitation, ‘do not be afraid’.

I think it’s telling that God knew that Jesus needed a Father. He needed a family. He needed a Mom and a Dad. The defenseless baby Jesus would need a Mom to nurture and love him. To care for and bond with as only a Mother can. Jesus would also need a Dad to protect him, teach him and raise him in ways that only a Father can impart to a son. Having this family unit was so vital that God sent an angel to calm Joseph’s fears and help him to see the bigger picture. A picture that forced Joseph to put aside pride, ridicule and fear, and step into something bigger than himself.

How many of us need a visit like that today? How many of us have lost sight of the fact that when we said ‘I do’, that didn’t mean ‘I do…as long as I’m happy’. It meant ‘I do…or better or for worse. For all that may or may not come…I do.” How many of us need to remember that we have a commitment not just to our spouse, but to our God, to our kids, to our church and to all that are impacted when we think about walking away from ‘I do’. How many of us need to get back to the simple, deep and profound pleasures that only family can offer?

Maybe your relationship is hanging by a thread and you would love an angel to visit with a message! If you are honest would your angel say something like, ‘Be humble’? Or possibly ‘Be more forgiving’? Possibly you’ve been separated and the message you need to hear is ‘Do not be afraid, it’s time to go home, your family needs you’. How about this one, ‘It’s not too late, you can still be the husband and father, or wife and mother, that your family needs…do not be afraid!’

Do not be afraid. Fear will cripple us. It will keep us from extending and receiving forgiveness. The years will roll by, relationships will remain broken and families will crumble. Unless, men and women, Moms and Dads will respond to the words that that Joseph heard, ‘do not be afraid’. Fight for your family, fight for your spouse, fight for your kids; Do Not Be Afraid.