And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

Perhaps the angel is offering a particular reassurance: Don't be startled, don't run away, I have something good for you.

But might it be a more general instruction?

Luke has Jesus use the same Greek - phobeo - when he commissions James, John, and Simon. Jesus tells a crowd, "do not be afraid of those who kill the body..."

When a gale threatens to swamp a boat in which Jesus and the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus responds to their fear with the question, "Where is your faith?"

Fear imagines the worst. Fear distracts from reality. Fear not.

You can listen to this soprano recitative performed by the Peabody Symphony and Chorus. (This is the same audio as yesterday.)

Above is the Annunciation to the Shepherds by Taddeo Gaddi.