When Fear Turns to Joy; Luke 1:5-17

It has often been said that the most common command in the Bible is "Fear not." But what amazes me is how often those words appear in the Christmas story. "Fear not" is spoken to the shepherds by the angels, Mary by Gabriel, and Joseph in a dream. But before those words are spoken of Jesus' birth, they're said to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. But it's not just "fear not." Zechariah is told, "Fear not, your prayer has been heard." The command to not be afraid is tied to the deepest desire in Zechariah's heart, a hope he refused to let go of even when all hope seemed to be gone. What if God hears your greatest hope? What if your greatest fear could melt away in his presence? This is where we begin the Christmas story in Luke, and it could be where the Christmas story meets each of us.