“You fear the world too much,’ she answered gently. ‘All your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid reproach. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off, one by one, until the master passion, Gain, engrosses you. Have I not?”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:4-5
Power of Fear
Do you fear the world too much? If you listen to the news media, or social media for that matter, you can be overwhelmed by negativity. Too many have fallen prey to the power of fear. Some have fallen victims, while others are using it to manipulate people for their benefit.
Fear is contagious. If you spend too much time around people who are fearful or people whose intent it is to make you fearful, then you become fearful. Soon we are lost in a maze where it seems like there is nothing but walls at every turn, no way out.
God saw a world full of darkness and fear, and He sent a light into the world. Not everyone sees the light, but those who do find their way out of the trap of fear. The light of hope leads us through the maze, showing us the right way to go.
Power of Hope
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
I was watching a Christmas movie and one of the characters said that Tiny Tim was their favorite character from A Christmas Carol because despite his illness he was full of hope instead of fear. The first candle of advent is the one representing hope. The advent of the coming savior was a source of hope for the people then, and the advent of the second coming of the savior is a source of hope for us today.
Because of the coming of Christ, we have hope and light in a world full of fear and darkness. We have the answer to all the troubles of the world, but what will we do with it? Will we huddle in its glow, or will we share it with others?
Power of Light
One of my favorite parts of Candlelight and Communion at my church at Christmastime is when we light the candles. It starts in almost darkness and a candle is lit. The person with the candle lights the candle of the person next to them. Eventually, the whole church is full of light because each person shared their flame of hope with another.
Today more than ever we need the hope and cheer of Christmas. We need something to dispel the fear and anger. We need the light of Christmas, the light that came at Christmas, the light that brings life: Jesus Christ.
So, make sure your candle burns bright and go spread a little Christmas spirit, make things merry and bright, in a world full of darkness. We could use a little Christmas right now:
If you are dealing with fear, check out my earlier blog on Fear Not.
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