“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.” – Luke 1:34-38

For nothing will be impossible with God.” In the above verses and several before, the angel Gabriel just told Mary that she had been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. I am pretty sure that none of us can grasp what it would have been like to be Mary and receive this news. Mary was perplexed at the encounter, questioned the angel, and then responded in obedience.

Mary was willing to abandon her life’s hopes and dreams, be available to God, and live out her allegiance to Him through her words and deeds. She did not have all the answers; however, she believed and walked on in faith. The angel Gabriel’s words, “For nothing will be impossible with God,” were not just for Mary and not just part of the Christmas Story; they are for you and me as well. Whatever it is you are facing today or in the future – believe, trust, and allow your faith to give you strength to keep going.

Merry Christmas to you and yours! – mek

~ Mark Knapp – Beck’s Chaplain