Anything abnormal or unexpected will cause a reaction. News of a wedding or examination success may bring joy and smiles; news of a death or failure may prompt tears. The essence of a joke is that the ending is unexpected, and the twist in thinking should launch laughter. The more an event or announcement is unexpected - the greater the response. Fear is a whole-body, physiological reaction to a personal threat for which a resolution cannot be immediately seen: and terror is uncontrolled fear.

These verses say that the shepherds were terrified that night. Their usual routine was shattered by a unique angelic appearance to the group of men, accompanied by a bright light which they described as the 'glory of the Lord'. But why should the Lord's presence be so greatly disturbing? In the Old Testament, God told Moses that it would be fatal to see His face (Exodus 20-23); Gideon was petrified by an encounter with God's messenger (Judges 6:22-23). And Isaiah's response to God's angels gives the clue to all their fear - he recognised his sinfulness in the face of God's all-consuming holiness (Isaiah 6:5). The truth is that impure human beings cannot survive in the presence of God's purity.

But that was why Jesus came. His appointment on earth was to 'become sin for us' (2 Corinthians 5:21). It was only because He accepted the Father's wrath against our sin, on the cross, that we can be reconciled to God. So the angel's message firstly calmed their fear; displacing terror by announcing joyful news. That is still the effect of the gospel on those who believe. If you have no confidence that God will accept, protect, guide and provide for you, fear is the only option to the unexpected or matters outside your control. Without Him there is no secure solution to anything, in this world or at the judgement. However, God's desire is that people will receive His good news, and be delivered from their fears (Psalm 43:4; Luke 1:47; Hebrews 2:15). They are not just about being terrified by the prospect of death; many people are fearful as they anticipate each day's problems. The solution is the Jesus of Bethlehem and Calvary, who not only came to take away sin, but also to remove the fear which surrounds the sinful. Click onto www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more. And if you already know the Lord's peace and joy, you really do need to tell others, so that they may also receive peace with God (Romans 5:1).