There are many lessons from the people involved in that first Christmas, as we’ve written here since Thanksgiving. Here’s a different one from my friend Henry Brown now living in Hilton Head, SC. He sent me this devotion, which I don’t think I can improve on. (I can’t improve on this one, but I can write my own…as you can, also. Please do! He uses a “Listen, Think, Go” format. Mine is “Read, Reflect, Respond, Record.” I’ll have something to say about that tomorrow.)

Now, to the devotion Henry sent me:

Listen

Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible for God.” Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:34 – 38)

Think

Have you felt like nothing good comes from you? Sometimes we feel like we are unable to bring forth any goals or follow through with plans. Perhaps you have never experienced that your life has a meaning or purpose. This may be how Elizabeth felt as a childless woman in her old age, in a patriarchal society that measured a woman’s worth by her ability to bear children.

Today’s Scripture brings us guidance on what we can expect when the work of the Holy Spirit starts in our lives. Instead of feeling “unable to conceive” anything, God is sending support through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will come and empower us, allowing us to live with purpose and able to conceive any goal.

What are you disappointed by? Do you want to experience the ability to achieve? Whatever it might be, know that nothing is impossible through God. – Israel Loachamin

Go

Where shepherds lately knelt, and kept the angel’s word,
I come in half belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred;
But there is room and welcome there for me,
but there is room and welcome there for me.
Can I, will I, forget how Love was born and burned
its way into my heart unasked, unforced, unearned,
to die, to live, and not alone for me, 
to die, to live, and not alone for me?
from “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1986)

Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1.37, TPT)