Friend, Luke tells us that when the angel showed up that night, the first words out of heaven’s mouth were not a command, not a warning, and not a lecture. They were these simple, steady words from Luke 2:10: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

I love that God knew fear would be the first thing those shepherds felt. And I love even more that He didn’t shame them for it. He didn’t say, “Get it together.” He said, “Fear not.” Almost like a hand on the shoulder in the dark.

You see, that’s how God still speaks to us. Right in the middle of our worry. Right in the middle of the night shift. Right in the middle of the field where we’re just trying to do our job and survive another day.

And notice what follows the command not to fear. Good tidings of great joy. Not small joy. Not borrowed joy. Not temporary joy. Great joy. Heaven-sized joy. And the angel makes sure we don’t miss this part — which shall be to all people. That means you’re not disqualified. Your past doesn’t cancel it. Your doubts don’t diminish it. Your weariness doesn’t disqualify you from it.

That night, joy didn’t come to a palace. It came to a pasture. It didn’t come to the powerful. It came to the ordinary. And it still does.

So if fear has been whispering a little louder than faith lately, hear the words of the angel as if they’re spoken just for you today: Fear not. God has good news. Joy is on the way. And it’s meant for you.