December 19, 2021 7:00 pm
Linus, in the Peanuts comic strip, is best known for his blue security blanket. He carries it everywhere and isn’t embarrassed at needing it for comfort. His sister Lucy especially dislikes the blanket and often tries to get rid of it. She buries it, makes it into a kite, and uses it for a science fair project. Linus too knows he should be less dependent on his blanket and lets it go from time to time, always to take it back.
In the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas, when a frustrated Charlie Brown asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus, with his security blanket in hand, steps center stage and quotes Luke 2:8–14. In the middle of his recitation as he says, “Fear not,” he drops his blanket—the thing he clung to when afraid.
What is it about Christmas that reminds us we don’t need to fear? The angels that appeared to the shepherds said, “Do not be afraid . . . a Savior has been born to you” (Luke 2:10–11).
Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). We have His very presence through His Holy Spirit, the true Comforter (John 14:16), so we don’t need to fear. We can let go of our “security blankets” and trust in Him.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread devotional.
Our reading titled, Fear Not, was written by Ann Cetus. Linus, in the Peanuts comic strip, is best known for his blue security blanket. He carries it everywhere and isn't embarrassed at needing it for comfort. His sister, Lucy, especially dislikes the blanket and often tries to get rid of it.
She buries it, makes it into a kite, and uses it for a science fair project. Linus too knows he should be less dependent on his blanket and lets it go from time to time, always to take it back. In the movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas, when a frustrated Charlie Brown asks, isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about? Linus, with his security blanket in hand, steps center stage and quotes Luke 2, 8-14. In the middle of his recitation, he says, Fear Not.
He drops his blanket, the thing he clung to when afraid. What is it about Christmas that reminds us we don't need to fear? The angels that appeared to the shepherds said, Do not be afraid.
A savior has been born to you. Matthew chapter 1 declares that Jesus is God with us. We have his very presence through his Holy Spirit, the true comforter, so we don't need to fear.
We can let go of our security blankets and trust in him. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Luke chapter 2, verses 8 through 14. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests. Let's pray. Loving God, thank you for guiding us and helping us grow closer to you, yet firmly planted in you, confident in who you are and what you can do. May we let go of the things that give us false security and learn to fully cling to you. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-07-07 15:30:27 / 2023-07-07 15:31:54 / 1
