Christmas

Do you ever re-read a book that you have previously enjoyed and discover in the text something that you had missed the first time round. This is true of the nativity narrative. In Luke 1:37 we come across the words of Mary, "For nothing is impossible with God.” This paraphrased elsewhere as "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” Just like not seeing that particular thing on the first reading of the book so to our reading and seeing the truth about God's love seen in the birth of Jesus as one of us.

It is so true that as Helen Keller once said, "The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision."

What would we do if you really believed this verse? Would our lives look different than it does now? What if we believed that what God spoke to us could be possible?

That’s what Mary did in this verse. God had spoken a promise to her, told her something about her future, that she would be the mother of Jesus. Mary did an amazing thing when she heard the news. She listened to what the angel said. He told her that nothing is impossible with God.

Because Mary believed what the angel said, that nothing was impossible, she walked out the things God was calling her to do.

The same is true in our lives. If we choose to believe that the things that God tells us to do are possible, we will be able to walk them out. If we choose to believe in God’s possibility, we will see great things come to pass in our lives.

Choose to be like Mary and see that all things are possible with God.

God, who are the Most High Lord of all,

you have a surprising preference

for people who are small and humble

and who expect everything from you.

You chose Mary, the unassuming virgin from Nazareth,

to become the mother of your Son Jesus.

Through your Holy Spirit

make us aware of the poverty of our hearts,

that we may be open to you and welcome you,

be ready, like Mary, to serve you and your plans,

and expect everything from you.

Come to us and give yourself to us

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.