A moment ago we read just a bit of the story of Elizabeth and Mary.

Six months Elizabeth has been pregnant. Six months.

Six months Elizabeth sits, wondering, waiting what will happen.

Six months is a long time to wait. Was she anxious? Quiet?

Six months pregnant, too old by all accounts, probably unsure, probably afraid of the future.

What should she do? Who should she tell? Who did she dare talk to?

So it’s no small thing the angel had said to them “Do not be afraid.”

John will come. He will prepare the people for the Lord.

Mary sits, wondering, waiting, what will happen.

Was she anxious? Quiet?

Finding out she was pregnant, unmarried, probably unsure, afraid of the future, bewildered how such a thing could have happened.

Should she leave? Stay? Tell Joseph? Or not? The pressure of such news pounded in her ear.

So it’s no small thing that the angel had said to her “Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus will come. He will save his people from their sins.

Everything within both Mary and Elizabeth would have said “Rush around. Figure it out. It’s out of control. Hurry up. Take charge.”

The thing is…there was no way to hurry things. Babies come when they come.

Pregnancy ends when its over. We’re ready when we’re ready.

Don’t be afraid.

Right now in particular, it’s time to not rush. Advent.

It’s time to prepare, not to receive.

Don’t rush it. I happen to know Starbucks put up their Christmas decorations on exactly November 8. Of course. That’s okay. Just don’t rush to Christmas.

Radio stations have been playing 24-7 Christmas Carols since well before Thanksgiving. that’s okay. Just don’t rush to Christmas.

In the anticipation, the waiting, the expectancy, the pregnant wonder of Advent, God may well have something to say to you, too.

I wonder if there is something in your life, right now, that God would speak those same words into, in the midst of pressure, strife, hurry:

Don’t be afraid.

I wonder if there is something for you that the only answer for is to sit and listen and wait.

That in the quietness of preparation, in the monotony of waiting, in the discipline of stillness you might find yourself understanding something you haven’t before.

John came before Jesus. Preparation comes before receiving.

Advent comes before Christmas.

Don’t be afraid. Watch, look, listen. Amen.