Fear and trembling
In the North Prospect Church Advent booklet, I read the story of the angels announcing the good news to the shepherds that starry night, and the shepherds responding in great fear. The commentary reads,

These words, perhaps more than any others in all the Bible, evoke warm and familiar images for most Christians. Immediately a creche populates the imagination – the manger, the shepherds, (even the Magi, who are over in Matthew), Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus are all there. But this old familiar story tells us that the first time it was heard, most everyone fell on their knees in terror. The danger for us, I suppose, is that we tame God too much. So maybe when we see the familiar scenes this year we can ask ourselves, also, what crazy, scary, wonderful thing does God have up the sleeve for us?