"The angel replied to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. And consider your relative Elizabeth--even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God.'"
Luke 1:35-37 (CSB)
Have we ever asked God how He does things? And specifically, how He does things that don't make sense to us?
This passage captures a most unique moment in time, when Mary has just been told that she has found favor with God and will conceive and bear a royal son. I imagine she must have had some awareness of how she was being told that she would bear the promised Messiah. I imagine she found the news compelling, especially since it was delivered by an angel! Nevertheless, it seems her focus is to understand how she as a virgin will have a child.
How does one explain the Immaculate Conception or any miracle for that matter? I find it interesting that the angel gives a brief description which seems to directly address Mary's question and then gives Mary a piece of evidence by pointing to the miracle already taking place within Elizabeth. And then I love how the angel ends by saying, "nothing is impossible with God."
As important as the mechanics are for Mary, perhaps the angel wanted Mary to really know that God can do anything. Her “how” question has a “who” answer. God can give her a child without the participation of any man because nothing is beyond Him. He who created the laws of the universe can work with them just as easily as He can make them work for Him. Nothing is impossible with Him or for Him!
We're all probably needing a little help from God this Christmas season. Or maybe a lot. Let's consider how He worked through a young, open-hearted woman to accomplish an unprecedented event that continues to bring light and life. And if He can do this, then He can meet us wherever we are at, and He can also reach across the widest gaps. Let's consider that, with Him, there is no such thing as impossible. And let's worship Him for how He so wisely, gently and powerfully made possible "peace on earth too people he favors!" (Luke 2:14).