Christmas is any moment or circumstance when eternity penetrates time.
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV.
A few words at the end of a commercial caught my attention; “The impossible, true story,” as the announcer described it. What first seemed contradictory suddenly described Christmas perfectly to me, at least the real Christmas – the celebration of the Savior’s birth. God coming into our world, indescribable. A child born to a virgin, impossible. A Savior who came for sinners, incomparable. Christmas truly is the “impossible, true story.”
Centuries before Jesus was born, prophets foretold of Israel’s Messiah who would come. Isaiah wrote the most impossibly true words, “The Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel, God is with us! . . for unto us a Child is born and unto us a Son is given . .” Isaiah 7:14/9:6-7. A Son would be born in Bethlehem; a Savior would be given at Jerusalem. His listeners must have puzzled over at Isaiah’s words, asking themselves, “How can this be?” Still today, Christmas remains “the impossible, true story.”
Christmas is the perpetual reminder that the Almighty God changes impossibilities into possibilities and improbabilities into probabilities; our God delights in confounding the wise by doing what others say cannot be done. Our God is unlike any other! “Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This ‘foolish’ plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 NLT.
Mary also asked, “How can this be?” Then, with assurance from the angel she rested her impossibility into God’s hands. In a few words from Heaven, Mary’s impossibility became possible. Christmas would forever mean that nothing would – nothing could – ever be the same again for Mary. Christmas is more than a moment of ancient history or annual calendar event; Christmas is any moment or circumstance when eternity penetrates time with the promise of possibilities that can change anything that ever has been and everything that still could be.
For you this Christmas, the Angel’s bold declaration to Mary is still true, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV. Christmas’ truth changed every previous assumption Mary held. The same can be true for you this Christmas. Your situation that appears impossible; your need that exceeds your ability or resource; the obstacle that defies your efforts; the sinful habit that seems indomitable; your failure you thought had stolen your future; all and more are well within the immeasurable bounds of God’s power to redeem. “Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV.
My prayer for you this Advent is that you invite Jesus into your heart and home as Savior and Lord.