Nothing is Impossible for God
A Christmas Sermon by the Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith
Lessons: Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7; Arcana Coelestia 8700:2
For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37)
N
othing will be impossible! The Angel Gabriel declared this after Mary’s
amazement that a virgin could give birth. He also noted how her relative
Elizabeth, well past her child-bearing years, was also pregnant through Divine
intervention, albeit with a natural father – Zacharias. For Mary, the Holy Spirit
would overcome her. His power would overshadow her. And the Son of God
would be born. Nothing will be impossible for God.
This virgin birth, and all the many other miracles recorded in the Word,
can fill us with a sense of wonder and reverence. These Christmas stories touch
a deep cord within us. In addition to stirring warm childhood memories, they
epitomize the Lord’s love for us in His willingness to take on the human form,
to walk among us and be one with us. And they speak to us of hope – the
promise that the Lord’s coming will bring us joy and happiness.
It is interesting that as much as we are affected by this in the stories of
Christmas, we may have trouble making a direct connection with our own lives.
Yes, the Lord came, He has power, and with God nothing will be impossible.
But do we really believe it? Do we believe it in our lives?
All too often we tend to think of the Lord as remote and perhaps somewhat
disconnected from our daily activities
and struggles. “Yes, He was born on
earth. He saved mankind. But that
does not do me too much good. Look
at the problems I have to deal with.
Look at the pain I suffer. Look at my
failing attempts to make things better.”
While we may intellectually accept
the teaching that the Lord’s power is
capable of doing great and marvelous
things, we may feel it has not done too
much in our own lives.
Yes, the Lord came, He
has power, and with
God nothing will be
impossible. But do we
really believe it? Do we
believe it in our lives?
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