Back in the fourth grade, I was an angel. No, I’m not referring to my pleasant disposition back then (my parents can confirm this) but to the fact that I played an angel in a school Christmas performance. With wings made of chart paper and feathers and a trumpet forged from silver foil, I precariously balanced on a stool on the side of the stage.
Somehow, I assumed angels stood on tiptoes like ballerinas. With as much courage as I could muster, I managed to strike an elevated pose on that stool. Forty years later, I can testify that I do not have the dexterity or the boldness to try that move again.
While that may have been somewhat spirited, as we read the familiar Nativity story, we catch glimpses of real, radical courage.
An unwed teenage girl is greatly troubled when an angel startles her. Yet, she joyfully surrenders to God’s plan to carry His Son in her womb. She didn’t know what the future would hold, but she says yes anyway.
A simple carpenter is deeply saddened when he hears his betrothed is expecting a child. But when an angel meets him, he obeys God and marries the pregnant girl, knowing the social stigma for the rest of his life. He steps out of the boat to carry the tremendous responsibility of raising the Messiah, as his earthly father.
A bunch of dishelved and dismissed shepherds were terrified when a host of angels proclaimed the news of Jesus’ birth to them. But immediately after, they ran to the stable to see the baby. And here’s the stunning part: they bore witness to God’s glory and made the wondrous miracle widely known. They didn’t hold back because of their social standing or their lack of education.
The wise men fearlessly made their journey from the East to see the baby. They bravely followed a star, not fully certain where it would lead them. They said yes, even though the journey was likely long, arduous, and probably made little sense to those around them.
Friend, as we read the narrative, we sometimes see these protagonists in the Christmas story as one-dimensional characters. We forget that they were ordinary people with real emotions. They fought fear. They dealt with doubt. They navigated negativity. But they finally did the courageous thing: they chose to put their trust in God and not in themselves.
The world speaks of courage as believing in yourself. But Biblical courage is letting go of control—and trusting God.
This Christmas, there’s a challenge before each of us: will you and I say yes to God?
Even when there’s no game plan laid out. Even when it might require dealing with others' ridicule. Even when we don’t have the “right” credentials. Even when it makes no logical sense.
We can say yes, because Jesus said yes. He obeyed the Father and came to earth so He could make a way for us to have an eternal relationship with God.
Scripture reminds us in the Old Testament: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
God with us. Emmanuel. His presence gives us the power to say yes. His with-ness gives us the capacity for courageousness. He breathes His boldness into us through the Spirit.
This God stepped into the darkness of the world to rescue and redeem us. Will you step into the light and do the daring thing He directs you to, while fully depending on Him?
Wishing you and yours a blessed—and bold—Christmas from the team at Indiaanya!
Photo by Victor Guevarra on Unsplash
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