“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:28 NKJV.
Christmas is when the Almighty God changed impossibilities to possibilities.
My thoughts and comments this Advent are about “Christmas possibilities.”
Never confuse the difficult with the impossible. It is an error to surrender to the difficult without even trying, as it is a monumental waste of time, effort, and resources to attempt to accomplish the impossible. It is tempting to move too quickly from your estimation of the former to your assumption of the latter. In reality, you need God for both. The Christmas season is not always joyous for everyone. For some, it comes with the brittle emotions of overwhelming situations, even situations that appear impossible. Christmas is a good time to remember Jesus’ words,
The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:28.
No few words describe Christmas any clearer than that. Christmas is the perpetual reminder that the Almighty God changes impossibilities into possibilities. Unlike all others, our God delights in doing what others say cannot be done.
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.
Centuries before Jesus was born, prophets foretold of Israel’s Messiah who would come; Israel waited.
Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name ‘Immanuel, God is with us.’ Isaiah 7:14.
God chose what men knew to be impossible to explain what was unimaginable. A child born to a virgin? Impossible. A Savior who came for sinners? Incomparable. God coming into your world? Indescribable.
To her heavenly messenger, Mary asked, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34 NIV. The Angel’s answer was profoundly simple, “Nothing is impossible for God.” Luke 1:37 NIV. Mary knew why it could not happen; God knew why it would. With assurance from the Angel, Mary trusted every impossibility into God’s hands. Christmas would forever mean that nothing would ever be the same again for Mary. More than a sacred story or seasonal celebration, Christmas is any moment when eternity penetrates time with the promise of possibilities. Christmas changes anything that ever has been and everything that still could be.
For you as well this Christmas, the Angel’s words remain true, “Nothing is impossible with God.” That Christmas truth changed every assumption Mary had believed. Let that be true for you this Christmas. The situations that appear impossible to you – the need that exceeds your ability or resource – the obstacle that defies your efforts – the sin that seems indomitable – the failure that would steal your future – all these are well within the incomparable power of God to redeem. Christmas is when you surrender to the Almighty God your impossibilities, “Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV. Christmas possibilities are without limits.
My prayer for you this Advent is to welcome Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord.