It is a comfort each Christmas season to enjoy the traditions of the season.  Families will experience Christmas traditions year after year, and then their children will incorporate these traditions into their lives.  For my family it involves a Christmas Eve service and retelling the Christmas story and opening one gift for Christmas Eve.  Yet, Christmas can also be a time of discomfort as people experience change and loss.  It is with that mindset that the words of encouragement from the angel to the shepherds stand out.  The shepherds were in their comfort zone when they encountered a messenger from God, and they were afraid.

Because we know this story so well, we tend to not grasp the nuances of this story.  The shepherds were about to experience one of the greatest events to ever occur in the history of this world, and they were scared.  Probably because they were experiencing something out of the ordinary.  Something they were not expecting. In the same way, we get used to things staying the same and struggle with fear and anxiety when we encounter change.  It is not always easy when life changes.  Some changes are positive and based on our decisions and actions, while others are difficult because they were out of our control.  But do not fear.  Over 2000 years ago, an angel of God delivered good news that a Savior had been born.   It is this message that gives us courage and hope for the future.  Even when our lives are in the midst of change.

Luke 2:8-20