Scripture reading: Luke 2:8–11

The Sky Is Falling

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

 

Chicken Little was in the woods one day when an acorn fell on her head. It scared her so much she trembled all over. “Help! Help!” she cried. “The sky is falling! I must go tell the king!” So she ran in great fright to tell the king.

Along the way she met Henny Penny. “Where are you going, Chicken Little?” Henny Penny asked. “Oh, help! The sky is falling,” Chicken Little cried. “This is terrible, just terrible!” Henny Penny clucked. “We’d better run.” Soon they met Ducky Lucky. “Where are you going, Chicken Little and Henny Penny?” he asked. “The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We’re going to tell the king!” they cried. “Oh dear, oh dear!” Ducky Lucky quacked. “We’d better run!” So they all ran down the road as fast as they could.

Soon they met Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey walking down the road. “Where are you all going in such a hurry?” they asked. “The sky is falling! And we are running to tell the king!” said Chicken Little, Henny Penny and Ducky Lucky in unison. “Then we’d better go with you,” said Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey.

So they all ran with all their might, until they met Foxy Loxy. “Well, well,” said Foxy Loxy. “Where are you rushing on such a fine day?” “Help! Help!” cried Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey. “It’s not a fine day at all. The sky is falling and we’re running to tell the king!” “I see,” said Foxy Loxy. “Well then, follow me! And he led them all across a field and through the woods. He led them straight to his den, and they never saw the king to tell him that the sky was falling. [Adapted from “Chicken Little” in The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett]

• • • • • • • • • • •

I find it easy to identify with Chicken Little and her friends. As I look around me, it feels like the sky is falling. Finances are crashing, government is changing, morality is eroding, insecurity is growing, terrorism is increasing and churches are sleeping. But this children’s story reminds me that panic is not the appropriate response to the crisis we are facing. For one thing, fear makes us look silly. For another, it is highly contagious. But worst of all, fear consumes our energies and renders us powerless. We become re-actors rather than actors.

The coming of Jesus into our world means that fear should no longer dominate our lives. Four times in the Christmas story, angels tell us not to be afraid (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:13,30; 2:10). Yes, Caesar Augustus is still building his evil empire through oppression and taxation, and Herod is still killing babies. But don’t panic. Don’t be paralyzed by fear. King Jesus has come. God is with us. All will be well.

Here’s the point: Chicken Little is a fable, but the incarnation is a historical! So, even if the sky is falling, do not be afraid.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. . . . Be still, and know that I am God . . . The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46)

 

For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given.

For the morrow we are told to trust. It is not ours yet. It is when tomorrow’s

burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is

more than a man can bear.” —George Macdonald

point to ponder • What is your greatest fear?

prayer focus • Those paralyzed by fear.