As we celebrate this Christmas, let us reflect on a powerful phrase that God spoke many times around Jesus' birth. The angels say to the shepherds “do not be afraid.” The angel Gabriel says to Mary at the Annunciation “do not be afraid.” Similar with St. Joseph, the angel says to him in a dream, “Do not be afraid Joseph to take Mary as your wife.” Why would the first words God has proclaimed to the human race on the birth of His Son be “do not be afraid”?
