ONE of the reoccurring phrases in the Christmas story is, “do not fear”.

Sometimes I look at the world around me and there seems to be lots to be fearful about: the future of our United Kingdom, our trading arrangements with neighbours far and near, the impacts of a changing climate, and so on.

Fear is a very helpful response to simple threats - if you hear a bear, fear helps you get away! But in the face of the much more complex challenges presented to us day by day, fear can become unhelpful.

Fear forces us to simplify our complex world, to turn to polemic explanations and bogus solutions.

I suggest that we need to hear afresh the invitation to not fear - not because our world is not frightening, but because our response to it needs to come from somewhere more life-giving than “fight or flight”.

We need thoughtful, nuanced, mature responses to the opportunities and challenges our lives present us with - and fear and panic do not foster these responses. Instead of “fear” the Christmas story invites us into hope.

Perhaps instead of jumping to fear we can more often pause and then find ways to imagine and realise more hope-filled responses to complexity?

The Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overwhelmed it. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a hope-full new year!

James Gregory

Crediton Congregational Church