Scripture

….the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. …… Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26 – 38 [26-27, 32-33, 36])

Reflection

Mary was startled, and not just by the angel’s appearing, but even more so by his message. No wonder that ordinary, extraordinary, Mary asked ‘but how?’

And often in our own lives, we also want to ask that question. How is it going to be possible for us to overcome the impossible? Then it is good to remember and hear the angel’s answer to Mary:
‘Nothing will be impossible with God.’

When we look out into the world, many things could make us feel that it is impossible. How can we trust God when wars rage and the climate is out of whack and people are starving and oppressed?
But God, our God who choose to be born of Mary, to live amongst people like ourselves and suffer, die and rise again for us in a time which was no less violent, no less confusing and worrying than our own, this God is the same God for whom nothing is impossible.
We can trust him. We can also say ‘Yes’, just like Mary.

May God bless you this Christmas and always,

Revd Ylva