Bobby McFerrin
Here’s a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note, Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
In every life we have some trouble, when we worry we make it double
Don’t worry, be happy.
Without a place to lay your head, someone came and took your bed
Don’t worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late and he might have to litigate don’t worry, be happy
Ain’t got no cash you got no style ain’t got no gal to make you smile but don’t worry, be happy

Jesus says don’t worry.  Rejoice!
Dismiss all anxiety from your minds.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

My first thought is:  what do you mean have no anxiety at all?
It is so easy to worry, and believe you me, there’s plenty to worry about!  Let’s make a list: worry about the health of our children, about getting sick or falling ill, worry about the aging of our parents.  We worry about having enough financial resources to meet our obligations and pay our bills.  We may worry about what others are thinking about us.  Worrying comes naturally to us!

And yet here is St. Paul exhorting us to have no anxiety at all.  What does he know that we don’t know?  What is his source of confidence?  I think the key is in the phrase that the peace of God….will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus.  This peace that surpasses human understanding is a gift that Christ brings to us.  There’s nothing we can do to earn it except say “Yes, Lord, come into my heart with that peace.”  The Savior’s promise is that he will come to us and stand guard in our worrying places.  In our finances, in areas of health and well being, in the privacy of our own hearts where doubt and insecurity lurk, Jesus promises to watch over our best interests when we are afraid all will not be well.

It’s sort of like when you are at the airport and you need to go buy something at a gift shop for the trip.  If you are traveling with a friend or family member you have an option.  Rather than lug all your suitcases or carryon baggage in and out of the airport shop instead you will ask your friend or family member, “Can you please watch my luggage for me?”  And they say yes, so you go about your business confident that your belongings are being well cared for.  You don’t give it a second thought.

On a much larger and more powerful scale, that is what Jesus does for us.  Jesus is God With Us in all the places that might give us anxiety.  This gift of God’s Indwelling is the promise of Advent.  We have no misfortune to fear.  We can live without anxiety because Jesus replaces that feeling with himself.  Imagine if you will the person of Jesus with us in line at the bank when we are depositing that paycheck that won’t make ends meet this month.  He’s putting his hand on our shoulder as we pay bills but don’t get them all paid, reminding us that it will all work out.  Jesus sits by the bedside of our beloved family members when we are not able to be there with them.  Jesus watches the front door throughout the night keeping watch over each member of the family.

By the way, there is no “correct” image of Jesus.  For you it might be the man whose image is common in pictures.  For you it might be a more generalized image of Christ as a risen presence brimming with light.  It may be the host and cup where we receive his Real Presence, or a scripture passage that carries the truth of his abiding presence.  No matter!  The gift is to acknowledge that Christ is occupying those places in our hearts and minds where we once were worrying and filled with anxiety.

With Jesus in those spaces, we can then respond to the world around us with generosity.  We don’t have to be afraid.  The answers that John the Baptist gives in the gospel make a lot of sense.  Give away some of your extra clothing.  No need to cheat anyone because Jesus is with us and will take care of us.  Tell the truth.  With Jesus near we have no reason not too.

Here’s a little song I wrote, my friend Jesus gave me hope.
Don’t worry, trust Jesus.  Don’t worry, there’s Jesus.  Don’t worry, let Jesus.