What do you fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent
November - December 2025
Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod...” This detail may
seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus
entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, the whispers of angels deliver a surprising message: “Do not fear.”
In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?
Join us for an Advent, Christmas, Epiphany series that takes seriously the angels’ message and trusts that Christ’s birth truly is good news of great joy for all people.
November 30: In the Time of Herod, We Long for God to Break In | Luke 1:5-13
December 7: Even in Our Fear, We Are Called Forward | Luke 1:26-39
December 14: When You're Afraid, Give Me Your Hand | Matthew 1:18-25
December 21: When We're Running Out of Hope, God Is at Work | Cantata Sunday
December 24: Good News Is Louder than Fear | Luke 2:1-20 Candlelight Christmas Eve
December 28: Let Fear Fuel a Fire for Justice | Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
January 4: Fear Doesn't Stop Us | Matthew 2:1-12; 16-18
seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus
entered, one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty, and instability. And yet, throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, the whispers of angels deliver a surprising message: “Do not fear.”
In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears—they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news, and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?
Join us for an Advent, Christmas, Epiphany series that takes seriously the angels’ message and trusts that Christ’s birth truly is good news of great joy for all people.
November 30: In the Time of Herod, We Long for God to Break In | Luke 1:5-13
December 7: Even in Our Fear, We Are Called Forward | Luke 1:26-39
December 14: When You're Afraid, Give Me Your Hand | Matthew 1:18-25
December 21: When We're Running Out of Hope, God Is at Work | Cantata Sunday
December 24: Good News Is Louder than Fear | Luke 2:1-20 Candlelight Christmas Eve
December 28: Let Fear Fuel a Fire for Justice | Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
January 4: Fear Doesn't Stop Us | Matthew 2:1-12; 16-18
