Drop the Blanket
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:10-11 KJV emphasis mine)
[Jason] Soroski, [a writer for crosswalk.com], observed that in the animated special "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown," something very unusual happens when Charlie Brown’s best friend Linus, recites Luke 2: 8-14. Right when Linus says “Fear not” (verse 10), he literally drops the one thing he holds most precious in the world – his security blanket.
As I was re-reading this Scripture and reflecting on Saroski’s reflection about the symbolism of Linus dropping the blanket in which he writes, “The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Him instead.” It made me think about how much we cling to the temporal things of this world; our money, our appearance, our possessions, our position and reputation, even our health. I thought how difficult it us for us to fully embrace the Word of God and the will of God when we’re clinging to our security blankets – that thing or those things that gives us self-actualization or false security in a fragile, volatile and imperfect world.
I pointed out that in three scripture passages associated with the Christmas story (Luke 1:30, Matthew 1:20, and of course Luke 2:10) the angel of the Lord tells Mary, Joseph and the shepherds to “Fear not!”: “Drop the Blanket Mary! What man says is impossible – God has spoken into existence.” “Drop the Blanket Joseph! Let go of your doubt, your reputation, your standing in the community and know in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose.” “Drop the Blanket Shepherds! Let go of the notion that you are somehow unworthy to receive God’s favor because of your social status, your race, your age, your.. (you fill in the blank) and know that God can use you in a powerful way.” “Drop the Blanket, people of God, Let go of your fears of the unknown, your preconceived ideas and your tendency to put God in a box.”
I encourage you now, as I concluded then, to pray and ponder: What are those fears and security blankets that you’re holding onto that is keeping you from fully embracing the Word of God and the will of God for your life?
Fear not, and ‘Drop the Blanket!’ With God’s help and the leading of the Holy Spirit, you can do great things for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in [2018] and beyond.
In Him alone,
Pastor Win Davis
Cambridge Baptist Church
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