Fear Not |Cal Fong

In the midst of darkness, fear, and uncertainty, we encounter Joseph—a man facing an impossible situation that threatened to destroy his reputation, his future, and his sense of worth. This exploration of Matthew 1:18-25 takes us beyond the sanitized Christmas card images into the raw reality of what it meant to receive God's call during one of Israel's darkest hours. Joseph's story reveals two profound fears that still plague us today: the fear of shame and the fear of unworthiness. Whether Joseph suspected Mary of unfaithfulness or felt unworthy to participate in God's divine plan, his contemplation of divorce reflects the same struggles we face when we question our value and adequacy. The angel's message—'Do not be afraid'—carries two transformative truths that shatter these fears. First, God calls us personally, knowing us by name just as He knew Joseph. We are not nobodies lost in the crowd; we are individually known by the Creator of the universe. Second, God calls us purposefully, inviting us into something far greater than ourselves. Just as Joseph was reminded of his heritage as 'son of David' and his role in bringing the Messiah into the world, we too are called to participate in God's redemptive plan. The statistics are sobering: 70% of us experience debilitating shame and unworthiness. But the Christmas story offers hope—Jesus came to take our shame upon Himself at the cross, crucifying our unworthiness with His death and offering us freedom through His resurrection.