The God of the Impossible

Luke 1:26–38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

When the angel gave news to Zechariah that his wife would conceive, he found it hard to believe and asked for a sign. He and his wife were both older, and they hadn't had any children. The prospects didn't look good for them. From their perspective, God would have to do something near impossible.
If the news given to Zechariah was hard to believe, imagine what Mary thought of the news that came to her! Zechariah and his wife at least had the context of marital relations through which conception would happen. Mary didn't even have that – she was a virgin. Gabriel's message to Zechariah was difficult, but the message he gives to Mary is impossible. 

 
Mary is going to conceive supernaturally and give birth to a son. But this isn't just any son. Not even an important son like John would be. No, this was none other than the Son of God – the second person of the Trinity – entering the world through Mary's womb. God was going to have to do the impossible. Gabriel even assures her that nothing is impossible with God. 

It reminds me of Jesus talking to His disciples after His conversation with the rich young ruler. He tells His followers that it's easier to put a camel through the eye of a needle (no, not some small gate like some believe) than for the rich to enter the kingdom. This prompts His disciples to asked if anyone can be saved. Jesus responds, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Man cannot save himself, but God can save him, because God is the God of the impossible! 

Maybe this Christmas you are facing great difficulties. Maybe there's that relative who hasn't embraced the gospel. Maybe there is family hurt or loneliness. Maybe the whole holiday seems hopeless and impossible to get through. During this season and whatever trials you may face, turn to the God of the impossible! Hope in Him alone to carry you through!