Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:36‭-‬38 NKJV

Her who is called barren. I can only imagine the joy Elizabeth must have felt as she experienced new life growing inside her once barren womb. I wonder how many years she had pined for the chance to bear new life? It must have been a long time since Luke reminds the reader both Elizabeth and Zecharias “were advanced in years” (Luke 1:7 ESV). I wonder how long it had been since she first heard the oppressive description “barren” used to describe her?  It must have been heart wrenching to hear, especially living in a society that equated loving God with having children.  Thankfully, Luke kindly makes it clear both Elizabeth and Zecharias were, “…righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (Luke 1:6 ESV); this means being childless was not a result of sin–it was not because they didn’t deserve a child.  Some may say if anyone deserved a child, they did; they had faithfully served God day after day and year after year–despite the desire for children remaining an allusive dream.  I personally love how they did not allow the lack of children to deter them from serving God.  They had a dream. They had a desire, yet even though that dream appeared impossible, they still served. They still worshiped. They still walked blameless before the Lord.  What an inspiration and example to all of us who have dreams that appear to be beyond impossible.

In the case of Elizabeth and Zecharias,  God one day revealed that His plans for them included making the humanly impossible possible.  Yes, an impossibility became not only possible, not only probable, but present.  Awesome.

And in the 6th month, the angel visited Mary.  Can’t you almost see God smile as He explained to Mary what He was going to do for her and what He did for Elizabeth? Can you picture the glean in His eye as He revealed to Mary that impossible with man is more than possible with God?  Can you hear Him whisper in her ear,  “I’m possible!”?

Think about it. A virgin give birth? The impossible made possible.

The barren be with child?  Impossible made possible.

This is what we all must remember today:  The Great I Am Is Possible!

Elizabeth learned this; and Mary knew this as she responded joyfully to the angel, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary knew that if God wanted to make the impossible a reality, then in no way was she going to stop Him.  Even more, she would serve Him and worship Him through it.

God is not man.  What is not possible with man is more than possible with God. Nothing is impossible with God. He who created the earth has power over all creation. He can make a donkey talk (ask Balaam). He can part the seas (ask Moses). He can use a fish to swallow a man (ask Jonah). God can do anything, anytime, anywhere–especially the impossible. God is not confined to human laws–nor to human understanding. His ways are so much higher than ours– more than we could ever grasp with our finite minds.

Therefore, I encourage you today, as you remember the birth of our Savior, as you celebrate the baby in the manger, listen for God’s still small voice whispering in your ear.  Listen as He whispers into your heart and into your dreams, “I’m possible!”

I AM IS POSSIBLE!

Whatever dreams, desires, prayers, and promises that appear allusive and out of reach to you right now, do not give up hope. Do not stop believing. Keep seeking, keep serving, and keep worshiping God for who He is.  Keep moving forward in your walk with God knowing nothing and no one is beyond His reach. What man declares impossible is God’s possible. I AM is possible because I AM is God.  And with God, all things are possible (Mathew 19:26).