And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people' (Luke 2:10).

The Bethlehem shepherds were afraid of the holy angel. That’s understandable. Holy glory naturally strikes terror into the heart of sinful people.

But the angel told them they did not have to fear. He was bringing them good news! Christ the Lord, their Savior, had been born in the city of his father, David. And this Savior would bring peace among those with whom God was pleased—peace with God (Romans 5:1) through the forgiveness of their sins (Luke 1:77).

God had sent his holy Son into the world not to condemn it, “but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). “For our sake he [would make] him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And that would mean “no condemnation for all who [would be] in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

That wonderful night the herald angel proclaimed the beginning of the end of our terror of God’s holiness. More than that, it was the beginning of the end of all our fears. “God is love” (1 John 4:16), and “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

“Fear not.” This is God’s Christmas message to you if you are in Christ Jesus. God is completely for you (Romans 8:31) and he will conquer all your fears and all your foes (Romans 8:35-39).

You have nothing to fear. That is good news of great joy!