Fear, Faith, and the First Christmas: Encouragement for Your Heart
Maria I. Morgan
With only a few days until Christmas, how are you doing? Maybe your home is decorated, the presents are wrapped, and you’re eagerly waiting for family to arrive for a time of reflection and celebration. Or maybe this year feels different. Maybe you’re simply going through the motions: numb and disconnected, as if you’re watching the festivities from the sidelines.
Although familiar songs call this “the most wonderful time of the year,” the holidays can be incredibly difficult. Research shows that nearly two-thirds (64%) of people struggling with a mental-health condition say their anxiety or depression worsens during the holiday season.
Not too long ago, I was part of that statistic. For two and a half years, I didn’t have the energy or desire to decorate, much less celebrate. What began with classic symptoms of anxiety slowly slid into depression. I felt stuck.
Unable to pretend everything was fine, I withdrew from others as much as possible, choosing isolation instead. When my condition didn’t improve, frustration grew into anger, and I found myself drifting from the Lord. Reading the Bible felt impossible. Praying felt empty. I couldn’t bring myself to share my darkest feelings with a God who seemed distant. Surely He was disappointed in me, or so I believed.
How had a season that once radiated joy become something I now dreaded? Fear had quietly replaced faith. My focus had shifted from serving others to simply surviving. I felt powerless to change my circumstances.
But Mary, in the months leading up to the very first Christmas, understood fear too, far more than we often realize.
Think about it. Mary was engaged to Joseph, no doubt anticipating life as a young bride, and dreaming of all their future might hold. Then, without warning, an angel appeared:
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28, KJV).
I can only imagine Mary’s reaction. Where did this angel come from? How did he get into her room? Why was he saying these things to her? Scripture tells us she was troubled, deeply unsettled.
The angel spoke again, offering reassurance:
“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” (Luke 1:30–31).
Questions must have flooded her mind. She voiced just one:
“How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).
The angel explained that the baby would be conceived by the Holy Ghost. This child would be the Son of God.
Mary’s response is breathtaking in its humility and surrender:
“…Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word…” (Luke 1:38).
In that moment, Mary yielded her will to God’s, her life forever changed by a brief angelic encounter.
She probably didn’t grasp the full implications of that decision. What would her parents say? What would her friends think? In a culture where unwed mothers could face death, how would she survive? Would Joseph believe her story?
Countless unknowns could have overwhelmed Mary with fear, confusion, social pressure, rejection, and isolation. Yet she chose to trust God in her miraculous but challenging situation, letting go of her own plans and embracing God’s purpose one day at a time.
A visit to her cousin Elisabeth brought much-needed fellowship and further confirmation of God’s work. Elisabeth greeted her with familiar, hope-filled words:
“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Luke 1:42).
Surely Mary replayed both the angel's message and Elisabeth’s encouragement throughout her pregnancy. She had found favor with God. She would be the mother of the Messiah.
Mary’s story reminds us that God sees us in our fear. He understands the weight of uncertainty, the sting of misunderstanding, and the ache of feeling alone. Yet in every step of Mary’s journey, God faithfully provided what she needed: strength for the moment, reassurance through His Word, and the comfort of a trusted friend.
And He does the same for us.
If this Christmas season feels heavy, take heart. God has not forgotten you. He is not disappointed in your struggle or impatient with your emotions. He is near to the brokenhearted, and He gently invites you to bring your weariness to Him. The same God who spoke peace to Mary’s troubled heart speaks to yours today.
Just as Mary sought the companionship of Elisabeth, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you trust. Isolation magnifies anxiety and depression, but connection helps loosen their grip. A text.
A phone call. A simple, honest conversation. These small steps can open the door for hope to enter.
This Christmas, remember:
Your fear doesn’t disqualify you from God’s favor.
Your questions don’t make you less faithful.
Your weakness doesn’t diminish His strength.
The Savior, whom Mary carried into the world, came for you—for your heaviness, your hurt, your struggle, your longing for peace. He is Emmanuel, “God with us,” right in the middle of your messy, imperfect, overwhelming moments.
You may not feel joyful this season, but you can rest in the truth that Joy Himself has come near. And because He is with you, there is hope, real, steady, unshakable hope, for whatever you’re walking through today.
Action Step: Before this day ends, reach out to someone you trust. Share one honest thought or feeling. You don’t have to walk through this season alone; God often meets us through His people.
Can I pray for you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for being Emmanuel, “God with us.” You see us and know our struggles and fears, and You don’t turn away. You draw near. Fill everyone who is anxious or downcast this season with the knowledge that You have not forgotten them. You are near to the hurting, and You are the author of peace. Rekindle faith in hearts and remind us that You are our joy, no matter our circumstances. Help us trust You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About Maria:
Maria I. Morgan is the award-winning author of the Louie the Lawnmower children’s series and Outrageously Fruitful, a women’s Bible study. Passionate about helping women find freedom from anxiety and depression, she offers a faith-centered, holistic approach to healing—addressing body, soul, and spirit—in her upcoming book Hope Ignited: Set Free from the Grip of Anxiety and Depression (available February 2026). Maria lives in Georgia with her husband, Steve, and their playful pets who bring laughter and creativity to her journey.
Connect:
Website: https://www.mariaimorgan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.morgan.10
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaimorgan/
Email: morgan.maria.i@gmail.com
¹Gillison, Daniel H. “The Most Difficult Time of the Year: Mental Health during the Holidays.” National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 20 Dec. 2021, www.nami.org/from-the-ceo/the-most-difficult-time-of-the-year-mental-health-during-the-holidays/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.