When Fear Is Replaced By Faith

The birth of Jesus Christ brought great fear in the hearts of people, but it was replaced by love, joy and peace to those who believed in God.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with greetings, telling here she was highly favoured of God, she became greatly troubled.

"Mary was greatly troubled at his words

and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."

Luke 1:26 (NIV)

When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he was afraid to take her home to be his wife, so an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream to calm his fears.

"But after he had considered this,

an angel of the Lord appeared to him

in a dream and said,

'Joseph son of David,

do not be afraid

to take Mary home as your wife,

because what is conceived in her

is from the Holy Spirit.'"

Matthew 1:20 (NIV)

When an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks at night, they were terrified.

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified."

Matthew 2: 9 (NIV)

When fear is replaced by faith in God, the results are love, joy and peace.