Do Not Be Afraid, But Do Be Prudent
A dream angel tells Joseph not to be afraid, but to marry Mary, found pregnant, for she had conceived, by God’s spirit, the Messiah who’d deliver people from the chokehold of their sins. Lightning-bolt coincidences validated the angel. A new star appeared, which Eastern astrologers followed, with gifts for the new King. Shepherds visited, sent by an angel. Then the angel says: Flee to Egypt, for jealous Herod plans to kill this new King. Do not be afraid, but yet flee? But the angel’s first words were followed by marvels—Magi with gold for Egypt, angel-sent shepherds. Joseph flees. Fear is freezing or freaking out with imaginary what-ifs. Prudence is wisdom—using our experience and spiritual discernment, alert to the demonic forces of this dark world. So, let’s be brave but prudent, listening to God’s guidance, delivered through peace or intuitions of wrongness, listening to the Spirit’s “No,” his “Slow,” his “Go,” cautious as a serpent, protected, but as gentle as a lamb among wolves.
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