Fear at Christmas

Proverbs 28:1
Fear at Christmas allayed by a text of Scripture when I was a child. I have had many Christmases, but never one more remarkable than the following, which occurred when I was a child. My sweet sister Sophia (three years older than I) and I used to sleep together in a large room, but one day our aunt begged for her to pay her a visit at Plymouth; so I was left alone and had to go upstairs in the dark and get to bed as best I could. Well, I know I had had Christmas things to cheer me, and even a box of lovely sweets and cakes to eat, if I liked; but alone, and in semi-darkness, so frightened me, that I quivered with fear and trembling; but, thank God, I asked Him to help me. He did, and, remarkable to say, this text came to my mind, which I suppose I must have heard at family prayer or had read it at my morning Bible lesson; it is found in Proverbs 28:1,1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1) and as it was in my reading last evening it made me recollect the terror of that Christmas night I speak of, until I boldly repeated the text, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Through God’s goodness I became at once “bold as a lion,” and felt I need not fear anything, for His Word was my stay and comfort. I undressed and went into bed and slept in perfect peace.
Emily P. Leakey.