Fear Not: An Advent series from Common Grace

2018: This Advent series called us beyond fear to embrace Christ's good news of hope, joy, healing and peace.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11

Dec 01 · by

The Humble Path

Scott Sanders launches our Advent series by getting lost in the bush and finding the humble path - at expense of his pride.

Dec 02 · by

Fear and Hope

For Rachael Friebel there is always hope, even in the midst of fear and despair.

Dec 03 · by

Space and Time to Change

Charlene Delos Santos gets a reality check about racism in Australia, but sees the possibility for kingdom-centred change in all of us - just maybe not the way we expect.

Dec 04 · by

Silent Fears

In Zechariah’s silence, Michelle Farrall finds the strength to confront her own fears. Albeit reluctantly.

Dec 05 · by

Past and Present Fears

Dr Meredith Lake looks back at our history, the good and the bad, and asks how fear drives our engagement in the world today.

Dec 06 · by

A Universal Problem

“Fear causes people to hold tightly to what we have”. On day 6 of Advent, Grace Lung reflects on letting go of fear and embracing trust.

Dec 07 · by

Fear in the Face of Adversity

For Mary-Anne Maio’s family, this year was marked by unprecedented fear. Yet, through it all she found strength in Christ and her community.

Dec 08 · by

Songs That Ache

Songs full of ache, promise and encouragement. Rev Christine Redwood reflects on these different songs in her search for justice and healing.

Dec 09 · by

An Impossible Prayer

Father Shenouda Mansour teaches us to pray impossible prayers, knowing that no prayer goes unheard – though it may be answered unexpectedly.

Dec 10 · by

The Fullness of Weakness

As storms brew on global horizons, Sherwin Titus finds in Jesus the peacemaker we so desperately seek.

Dec 11 · by Stephen O'Doherty

Perfect Love

Fear that motivates and fear that paralyses. Stephen O’Doherty breaks down how perfect love is the antidote to these conditions.

Dec 12 · by Elizabeth Stone

Disrupters of Old

Disruption, drought and dodgy knees. Elizabeth Stone reminds us of the long tradition of changemakers we belong to.

Dec 13 · by

Longing for Salvation

Brad Chilcott finds in Isaiah’s song a call to challenge the cultural, global and internal enemies that divide us, as we join in God’s holistic salvation for this world.

Dec 14 · by

Abundant Generosity

Ross Piper, CEO of Christian Super, reclaims the joy and truth of abundant generosity.

Dec 15 · by

Being Present with Our Fear

Liz Milani validates Mary’s fear, and learns from her example how we might navigate our own fear and uncertainty, without yielding to it.

Dec 16 · by

Fear that leads to action

When confronted with the reality of our climate crisis, Jason John urges us that our response needs to be faith in action, not helpless fear.

Dec 17 · by

The Disruption of Joseph

Pastor Ray Minniecon explores the disruption of Joseph as he learns of Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus, and considers his options.

Dec 18 · by

The Courage of Friendship

Brooke Prentis reflects on the highs and lows of the year that’s been, and calls us deeper into friendship marked by courage, not fear.

Dec 19 · by Charissa Suli

Sing a New Song in Hope

Rev Charissa Suli loves a good Christmas tune, but invites us to sing anew the deeper songs of hope in a broken world.

Dec 20 · by

A Passing Fear

Hwvar Khoshnow acknowledges the heavy weight of fear, and lightness of hope in the promise of its passing.

Dec 21 · by

The Revolutionary Advent Hymn

Conspiracy, prophecy, promise, danger, hope and joy. David Barrow reflects on Mary's revolutionary song.

Dec 22 · by

The Significance of Insignificance

Josh Dowton celebrates how being significantly insignificant can (and did) change everything.

Dec 23 · by

Not Afraid to Dance

This Advent, Jessica Smith invites us to dance.

Dec 24 · by

Life, not Death

Stevie Wills was strangled by the umbilical cord at birth. She shares her journey of connecting with her living and letting go of the fear of death.

Dec 25 · by

One moment at a time

On Christmas Day and the final post in our Advent series, Natalie Williams searches for a new spirituality of waiting.

Fear not is a familiar phrase in the Christmas stories of the bible. As people found themselves part of the coming of Christ, time and again they were exhorted to not be afraid.

As followers of Jesus, we too are invited to move beyond fear.

We are invited to embrace as family those whom we may initially fear. Listen to people who are different to us and learn from them. Acknowledge our own fear of taking action to become peacemakers in the world and embrace the freedom given to us through Jesus.

To move beyond fear is to accept an invitation into love and freedom. God’s love is radical and gracious. It is a love that banishes fear of judgement (1 John 4). We live in a world in which fear is at the heart of division and exclusion. As we reflect on Jesus’ call to move beyond fear, we are reminded not only of the love we encounter personally but also love as a driving force for good in the world.

Throughout December 2018 we heard daily reflections from these incredible contributors: