the fearless message: Joseph

Joseph was privileged to be the husband of Mary and the earthly influential father of Jesus. God came to share a message with him through Gabriel, the Angel of the Lord.  The message was clear.  Do not be afraid.  This was a supernatural statement.  Joseph had many reasons to be afraid.  There was the social stigma of Mary's pregnancy before their wedding.  The oppression of the Romans was universal and widespread.  The difference was God was with the young newly minted father. Following the command to fear not, the angel told him exactly what to do. 
Matt. 1:20        But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
It's the oddest and most magnificent thing. Joseph would name him Jesus.  The name meant "he will save His people from their sins".  Praise God!