impossible grace ?

For the most part I focus on positives. This is absolutely necessary for so many reasons, one of which is the fact that God commands us to be thankful. Having an attitude of gratitude can chase away negativity, pity parties, and the "blues".  I am sure we can agree that life is not easy. Let's face it, isn't it easier to grumble, complain and compare?  There was a study by the National Women's Health Resource Center a few years ago finding two-thirds of all women reported feeling depression during the holidays. This has been the human response for many people....I wonder, though, about Mary, the mother of Jesus....


It is pretty amazing to consider she was between 13 and 17 years old when the angel Gabriel visited with her. She was part of a family that did not really have resources, a peasant family living in an insignificant part of the Roman Empire. Oh what a greeting (Luke 1:28) "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" Can you imagine?  God chose her because she had a heart for Him, she was humble, and He knew she would willingly offer herself.  Gabriel's message to her was nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:38). Mary exploded in a song of praise (Luke 1:46-55).  The way it is written in The Message brings it to life for me.



I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened--I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him.
He bared His arm and showed His strength, scattering the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced His chosen child, Israel; He remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It's exactly what He promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.


Favor is grace. God was gracious to Mary. Mary would literally be filled with grace, as the baby forming in her womb was the embodiment of grace. Nothing is impossible with God.

For Mary, the first Christmas had to include disappointment as well as pain (after traveling for days, no room at the guest house, no one to help with the delivery no comforts from family) even though she was blessed, chosen for the most important task for any human being...even though she knew something important was happening and her baby would change everything. The circumstances were still difficult. God did not change the situation but He changes perspective.


Even Mary, full of grace, knew she needed a Savior.
Imagine Mary holding baby Jesus near her heart - despite the disappointment, darkness and pain - finding a peace, a joy, a love she had never known.


Jesus showed us grace, His life a message of grace to a broken world.



This Christmas, as we celebrate the hope of resurrection, the gift of salvation and the cross, and the coming of the One who taught us how to live, we celebrate the gift of grace.  We celebrate the birth of One who brings mercy, forgiveness and new life to sinners.