With Christmas approaching, many people are shopping, wrapping gifts, preparing their homes for gatherings and more. It is easy, especially in the online world of social media, to fall into comparison and anxiety. In Luke 12 however, Jesus offers timely comfort for Advent telling us “Do not be anxious” and to “instead, seek his kingdom”.
Holiday Anxiety
It isn’t new to be anxious leading up to Christmas. In 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas, started out with this opening scene.
“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus.
Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy.
I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.
I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess.”A Charlie Brown Christmas – Charles Schulz
Charlie Brown goes on to get diagnosed with “the fear of everything” and is prescribed “involvement”. So he directs the Christmas play until he finally shouts “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!” and Linus answers:
“Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
Lights, please.
And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.
And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them:
‘Fear not, for, behold,
I bring you tidings of great joy…
…which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day,
in the city of David, a savior…
…which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you.
Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.‘
And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth,
peace, goodwill toward men.‘
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
Linus has it right, we should “fear not” for Jesus brings us joy when he comes.
Focusing on Treasure in Heaven
So if we are going to not fear and not be anxious, we need to direct our attention to something else. Jesus tells us in several ways throughout Luke 12, to keep our focus on Heaven and what is Eternal.
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” – Luke 12:4
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on.” – Luke 12:22
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Luke 12:32-34
Jesus tells us to have peace this Advent and always knowing that he cares for us. More important than anything of this life, is ensuring that we have what we need to enter the next. That is prayer, alms giving, and giving to others what God gave us, thus storing treasure in heaven.
Jesus’ Warnings
After encouraging us not to worry, Jesus gives some warnings in the second half of Luke 12. He tells the apostles about servants who are awaiting their master’s return at any hour. We have the advantage this Advent of knowing that Christmas is approaching. We do not however know when our time for judgement will be.
While telling “do not to be anxious”, this chapter also tells us that we will pay for sins eventually. We can begin now by storing our treasures in heaven and staying vigilant as we wait for the our Master to come this Christmas.
If you like these reflections, I hope to continue posting them here at Formed by a Flame.
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