The Odds of Christmas

I’m not really sure how it is already December, but ready or not, here comes Christmas!

For most of us, 2021 has looked much different than we anticipated when we were ringing in the New Year. We had high hopes that the pandemic wouldn’t carry over into this year’s plans, but we have endured yet another year of masks, mandates, and many lost loved ones.

Maybe you are looking at this Christmas season with more dread than joy. Maybe you look around your table with tears in your eyes because of the empty seats. Maybe you are simply drained from the every day hustle that you just don’t have the energy or excitement you’ve had in years past. Whatever the reason may be, the weight of this year may be weighing on your Christmas spirit.

I know it can be easy to focus on how high the odds are stacked against you this Christmas. It can be tempting to believe that some things are just impossible. But I am reminded that Matthew 19:26 says, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Therefore, we must stop talking about the impossible and start talking about the Himpossible. I know this to be true: God can defy all odds this Christmas!

I can’t help but think about that very first Christmas and a young girl who seemed to have the odds stacked high against her. When the angel of the Lord came to Mary and said that she, a virgin, would give birth to a baby who she would name Jesus, the circumstances seemed impossible. People would certainly gossip. Her fiancé would certainly have doubts. Yet, Mary responded in obedience when she said in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Although the odds were stacked high, she didn’t let the challenge in front of her change the character inside of her. She remained true to who she was and Who she trusted. Mary responded, “Your will be done,” above any fears and uncertainties she faced. She chose to trust God even though she didn’t understand it all at the time.

But God, being faithful as He always is, gave Mary confirmation of His power. In Luke 1:36-37, He told Mary, “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God,” to show her that she can trust Him to do the very same thing in her own life. Just as God blessed Elizabeth, He would bless Mary as well.

If you feel like too much is weighing on you this Christmas and you just can’t find many reasons to rejoice this season, I challenge you to be obedient to God regardless of the odds stacked against you. Choose to trust Him with your circumstances, and He will defy the odds in your life. Just as you have witnessed Him being faithful in the lives of others, He can and will do the same for you.

God has an incredible purpose for your life. How do I know that to be true? You are breathing! As long as there is breath in your lungs, there is great potential for your life. Let’s do what Mary did that very first Christmas and say, “Your will be done.” The odds may seem impossible to overcome, but we serve a mighty God who can overcome any and all odds! Let’s get our eyes on Him this Christmas and celebrate His goodness above all else!

For more information on Pastor Benny Tate and all things Defy the Odds, visit bennytate.info. For more information about Rock Springs Church, visit www.rockspringsonline.com