“The holidays…” now there is a term that evokes a certain amount of stress and strain. As we were all decking the halls with “FA, LA, LA,” anxiety and fear were running rampant in our homes and offices. And we are starting the new year with palpable tension.

A case in point is a report from You Version (the online Bible source) that says that the most searched for verse last year is Isa. 41:10. It says, “So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God, and I will strengthen and help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…”

Amidst this flurry of fear and anxiety, I would like to suggest that we are not alone in our fears. Even some of those main characters in the story of Jesus’ birth suffered with fear.

Consider Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father. When we see him in Luke 1, he is an old man serving as one of the priests in the temple. He has a unique encounter with the angel of the Lord. Luke 1:12 says “He was startled and gripped with fear.” The unexpected news that he and his wife would soon have a baby was almost more than he could handle. But the angel assured him that God had a plan. That baby was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Consider Mary, the mother of Jesus. She had an encounter with that same angel. The Bible says that she was greatly troubled at the news that she (a virgin) would conceive and bring a child into this world. Her fears focused on her inadequacies. “How will this be since I am a virgin?”

But God had a plan. Her baby grew up to be the Savior of the world.

Consider Herod, the King over Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth. Matt. 2:3 tells us that “when Herod heard this (the truth that the new “King of the Jews” was born) he was disturbed.” He was afraid and shaken and upset over the possibility of losing his position, power and influence.

But God had a plan, and God was in control.

As we finish up this holiday season, you may be tossed about with anxiety and frustrated with any number of fears. You may wonder what will happen next. You may be afraid of losing control. You may feel totally inadequate for the tasks at hand. But please don’t forget that the people in the Christmas story shared some of your fears. And God met them right there!

The same message spoken the night of our Savior’s birth still applies today:

“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born…He is the Christ.”

And He still has a plan!