Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God.” “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:34-38 CSB
It's Christmas. It is hard not to feel hope in miracles in this season. Everything feels so magical – the lights, the songs, the snow (somewhere), the gifts, all the programs, special church and family gatherings - and the Hallmark movies. We like fairy tales, even when we grow up. In fact, we can believe that our lives should look like fairy tales, and we especially believe we should be able to create the perfect Christmas experience. Mary was teenage girl, engaged, and surely had dreams of her own about her future. As we all know, God usually has other plans!
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Mary received the news from the angel of the Lord that she would become pregnant and give birth to the long-awaited Messiah – a tiny baby sent to save the world. She was not married and was a virgin, so she was confused by what the angel said. He told her that she would become pregnant when the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. He has already told her who the baby is and what His name would be. It must have sounded so completely impossible to her, but the angel assured her that nothing will be impossible with God. Mary, without hesitation, replied See, I am the Lord’s servant, said Mary. May it happen to me as you have said.
Mary never looked back, sat in the corner and cried, or ran away because she felt out of control or could not work it out in her mind how this would all be okay. She surrendered instantly and completely, knowing that she could trust her Heavenly Father. She knew what the angel said was right – that nothing would be impossible with God. I wonder, is there something God has asked of you that you have been too afraid to surrender and obey? We all have crisis of faith sometimes. Sadly, we miss some incredible blessings and the opportunity to be used by God for His will. Mary understood what her role was and she was willing to sacrifice and honored to be chosen. Do you look at it like that? Do you see your impossible circumstances as an honored position that God will work through to reach others using you?
Mary had the most perfect Christmas that special day when she gave birth to the Savior of the world. She most likely had never imagined that circumstance for her life, but she realized the honor of being chosen and the joy in the surrender.
This time of year, in the midst of all of our impossibilities, we focus intentionally on the birth of the only One who has the power to make all of our impossibilities possible. And to a world full of impossible sinfulness, with no way possible to save ourselves, He was born. He made our most impossible situation possible. He made it possible for us to have a relationship with God, to be forgiven and accept Him as our Savior and His gift of eternal life. No matter what you are facing right now, there is nothing more impossible than us reconciling ourselves with our Heavenly Father in our own power. Jesus came and did that for us. Eternal separation from Him is far worse than any earthly problem or circumstance we face. He came and made the most impossible thing possible. He made the way for a sinful soul to come before a holy God and find redemption.
