Fear Not

<p>Linus, in the <em>Peanuts</em> comic strip, is best known for his blue security blanket. He carries it everywhere and isn&rsquo;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.</p> <p>In the movie <em>A Charlie Brown Christmas,</em> when a frustrated Charlie Brown asks, &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?&rdquo; Linus, with his security blanket in hand, steps center stage and quotes Luke 2:8&ndash;14. In the middle of his recitation as he says, &ldquo;Fear not,&rdquo; he drops his blanket&mdash;the thing he clung to when afraid.</p> <p>What is it about Christmas that reminds us we don&rsquo;t need to fear? The angels that appeared to the shepherds said, &ldquo;Do not be afraid &nbsp;. . . a Savior has been born to you&rdquo; (Luke 2:10&ndash;11).</p> <p>Jesus is &ldquo;God with us&rdquo; (Matthew 1:23). We have His very presence through His Holy Spirit, the true Comforter (John 14:16), so we don&rsquo;t need to fear. We can let go of our &ldquo;security blankets&rdquo; and trust in Him.</p>