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"FEAR NOT IS STILL GOD'S MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN" Scripture readings ~ Luke 2:1-20 & Matthew 1:18-25 Text~ Luke 2:19"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)As we consider this little verse this morning, one can't help but think about all that had transpired in the life of Mary. The last several months in her life had certainly been filled with many memories.First, we find that she was engaged or espoused to an older man by the name of Joseph. One can only imagine all that had been racing through Mary's mind as she prepared for that big day when she and her beloved would be married and begin to raise a family that she could nurse and nurture to fear the Lord as she and Joseph did.But before her day of pondering seen here in our text, we find this highly favored woman was visited by an angel from on High by the name of Gabriel. She was troubled at first, but Heaven's message of "FEAR NOT" brought ease to her startled soul as it had to countless others in times past in the Old Testament.She learned that she, being a virgin, was going to conceive and give birth to a Son. But this Son was NOT going to be any ordinary Son. Why, this was the Son of the Highest by the name of Jesus. He was coming as King with the throne of David for a seat to rule and reign without end.During this time, as we read from Matthew 1:21, Joseph, who also was greeted with a "FEAR NOT" message in a dream, was paid a visit from the angel of the Lord saying, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." What a memorable visit that was that day. A Sermon, a Son, and a Saviour! I believe that Joseph certainly must have shared that with Mary somewhere down the road.As we think back again to Mary, we hear her ask, "How can this be, seeing I know not a man?" Now, that's a question that needs to be answered. So, as Gabriel continued his sermon, it was revealed to Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her with the power of the Highest overshadowing her, and that she would be carrying the One that would be called the Son of God.She then learns that her older cousin Elizabeth is also with child and as soon as Gabriel concludes his sermon, she makes a dash to Elizabeth's house located in the city of Juda, and it's there she remains for the next 3 months. After the birth of John the Baptist, Mary returns to her hometown of Nazareth preparing for The Day that had been promised from Heaven.As the day draws nigh, Mary and Joseph were to make their way to Bethlehem some 60 miles away. A decree had been issued that all the world should be taxed. Now this journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was no easy hike. It was a rough road that was known to be lined with all kinds of thieves and thugs ready to pounce on unsuspecting victims. It was a trip that would sap the strength of the best of us, let alone a woman with Child.When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, weary and worn, Joseph seeks refuge at an inn, but to no avail. The city is filled with travelers and the cry of "No Room" weighs heavily upon the heart of this just man and his bride being great with child. A stall that houses the animals of those travelers who were already snug in their beds was the only spot left in town. Mary notices Joseph now as he hurries about looking for something to place the newborn Babe in, but all that's found is the feeding trough where the creatures created by the Creator find their own food. And it's there Beloved, in a Manger, not a Mansion fit for a King, but a Manger, where God lays His little Lamb. There where the food for animals was placed, the Bread of Life for all people was laid.Nearby, while the darkness of night covered the scene, we find some hard-working shepherds who were tending to their flocks in the fields that surrounded Bethlehem. All of a sudden, they hear the voice of the angel of the Lord once again sounding the most treasured message that Heaven wants us to hear, "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." (caps mine) This Heavenly Gift was to be found wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.Heaven's Choir, who've been waiting in the wings since Genesis 3:15, break forth in praise to God giving glory to Him for His plans of peace on earth and good will toward men. What else could these folks do after hearing special music like that but to see this thing which the Lord had made known to them. And what do we find? Well, we don't find them dilly-dallying around, do we? No No! On the contrary, we see them making haste to see Jesus.See Mary now, as she cradles the Greatest Gift that was ever wrapped. See Joseph now, as he stands guard over his little family. See the shepherds now, out of breath but filled with hope as they look into the face of God's Lamb. A Lamb unlike any other little lamb that they had seen before.The Shepherds, like the believers of old who could only see the Saviour from afar through prophecies pointing to this day, now stand before Him amazed while gazing upon that lovely face of Jesus. No longer able to control themselves over such a discovery, we learn after their personal visit they, "make known the saying which was told them concerning this child." It's then we discover that those who heard this glad news from the shepherds "wondered." Wondering if it was so, wondering what would come of this, and wondering what it meant for them.Is it any wonder then that some 700 years before Isaiah would tell us, "And his name shall be called Wonderful." (Isaiah 9:6) Wonderful in the way He was Born. Wonderful in the way He was Baptized. Wonderful in the way He Blessed. Wonderful in the way He Bled. Wonderful in the way He was Brought Back from the dead. And Wonderful, oh, how Wonderful indeed that Blessed Hope when He shall come for His own.After all this, it's there we find Mary now alone with her thoughts. Oh, how wonderful that the Spirit of God would record them for our learning. For we read again, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."Let me ask you, do you have a heart like Mary's that ponders the things of God? Over the last 12 months, we too have experienced many things. Things we didn't understand at the time. Things that seemed impossible. Things that troubled our hearts like Mary's heart. All of us this last year have taken a journey down a road that was lined with all kinds of thieves and thugs that delighted in troubling our families, our finances, and yes, even our faith.Nonetheless, those two words in that message from Heaven during those days of our Saviour's birth is still the same message for you and I in these days. Those are the two little words that will comfort us. Those are the two little words that will calm us. And yes, those are the two little words that will change us. Hear those two little words again proclaimed three TIMES from Heaven: FEAR NOT MARY! FEAR NOT JOSEPH! FEAR NOT SHEPHERDS!Folks, let the trials continue, let the tests be conducted, let the troubles come; because with those two words, "FEAR NOT" which are written 331 times throughout the Scriptures, we too then can have that same faith which holds firmly to all the other Promises of God as we ponder them in our heart.