by Debbie Jorgens, Director of Outreach Ministries
I’ve been playing, singing, and listening to Advent hymns and Christmas carols for days now. Like so many of you, I LOVE this music! It brings me joy as I recall memories of Christmases past and fills me with hope when I pause to listen carefully to the texts.
But interestingly enough, what has been playing in my head the past few days aren’t songs foretelling the coming of Jesus or celebrating the wonder of his birth. Instead, I keep hearing a sweet little hymn called “Have No Fear, Little Flock” The first stanza goes like this:
Have no fear, little flock; have no fear, little flock,
for the Father has chosen to give you the kingdom;
have no fear, little flock!
Evangelical Lutheran Worshp | Hymn 764
I don’t know why this hymn came to mind. Maybe it’s because as we near the end of 2020, I’ve been reflecting on all we’ve experienced – civil unrest, a contentious election season, a virus that has sickened millions and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in this country alone. And there’s more, of course. Many of us have been impacted by a difficult diagnosis, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job – to name just a few of the challenges layered on top of everything else. I confess that this year, I have found it particularly difficult to keep fear at bay.
It’s very possible this hymn came to me because the Spirit decided that I needed yet another reminder of God’s providence. The Spirit often works this way in my life, surprising me with a “booster shot” of sorts to strengthen my feeble faith just when I need it most.
The hymn is in reference to a statement Jesus makes in the 12th chapter of Luke’s gospel. Jesus has been telling the disciples not to worry. For one thing, worrying is futile! Jesus asks, “Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your span of life?” But more importantly, as Jesus explains, there is no need to worry because the God who nourishes and cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field will certainly provide everything the disciples need! And then he offers these beautiful words of reassurance: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Little flock. I’ve always loved that Jesus chose such an endearing term for his followers. It reminds me that I’m part of a precious gathering, a beloved community, led by a gentle and loving Shepherd who guides and protects us. Why should I be afraid?
Although I have known the hymn, “Have No Fear, Little Flock” for years, I didn’t know its history. So I did a little research. The first stanza is an almost literal rendering of Luke 12:32. The remaining stanzas, which speak of healing, restoration, and God’s loving presence throughout our lives, were written by a woman named Marjorie Jillson. She had multiple health issues, including a severe heart condition and lifelong struggle with thyroid disease. Knowing the difficulties Jillson endured in her life make her words all the more meaningful:
Praise the Lord high above; praise the Lord high above,
for he stoops down to heal you, uplift and restore you;
praise the Lord high above.
Marjorie Jillson
The author of these words knew fear and pain. She must also have known doubt and frustration. Perhaps she wondered, on occasion, where God was to be found in her struggles. And yet, her response is one of gratitude and faithfulness. Jillson once said, “What I learned from my own illness is that God will restore you, even if your body has to die first.”
Thankful hearts raise to God; thankful hearts raise to God,
for he stays close beside you, in all things works with you;
thankful hearts raise to God!
Marjorie Jillson
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” But let’s be honest. We’re human, and despite our best intentions to live in faith, fear will continue to permeate our lives from time to time. The good news is that even in the face of our fears and doubts, God loves us still. After all, God has already chosen to give us the kingdom! We know this because God has given us Jesus – our savior, comforter, and friend. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
