The Possibility of Joy

Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Classic Nativity sets contain all the main characters of the first Christmas: kneeling shepherds, bowing Wiseman, a barn animal or two, singing angels, attentive Joseph, the baby Jesus, and of course Mary. Mary was the young woman chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. We assume she was fairly young, and we hear in the Bible that an angel visited her with what seemed to be impossible news. Mary would have a special baby through the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re told she was surprised and confused by the news, but she was reassured by the angel that nothing is impossible with God. With all the uncertainty surrounding her circumstances though, it’s hard to imagine that she was happy or joyful at first about how her life would change. However, Mary accepted her role as the mother of Jesus and lived out one of the most well-known stories in history that we celebrate today. God made the impossible happen, and in the birth of Jesus, Mary knew the possibility of joy.

I’m sure we have all experienced times when unexpected news causes us anxiety and confusion, and we don’t feel happy or joyful about it. In this holiday season, with its unexpected stresses and worries, I pray that we will all know at least the possibility of joy. Perhaps we’ll find joy in the beauty of the lights, a delicious meal, a surprising gift, or a long-awaited visit from a friend. Or maybe we will find it in the good news from an angel to a young woman, that her child would be cause for celebration and joy for years and years to come.