"The Impossible Gift"
December 4, 2016
And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?" (Luke 1:18)
The impossible gift: for some children it's a pony; for us it was a pool table. Every Christmas we asked for a pool table and ended up disappointed. Finally, one Christmas we sat around the tree after opening all our presents. Figuring there would be no pool table, we resigned ourselves to look more closely at the presents we had received. That's when mom and dad brought out one last present for each of us. One brother opened a triangle; another opened a box of pool balls. We were all running downstairs before the other three gifts were unwrapped.
That's what happened to Zechariah. But instead of running downstairs to see the pool table, he sat on the floor asking "How shall I know this?" Long ago he had given up the dream of having a child. So even though an angel stands before him delivering this tremendous good news, Zechariah finds it impossible to believe.
God's great promises often greet us when we are beaten down, discouraged and depressed. A cynicism often creeps in that keeps us from enjoying God's gifts as we should, but those gifts are still offered whether you believe it or not. The Baby is still in Bethlehem's manger for you. Will you pass Him by just because you've been discouraged by the events in your life?
Christmas is really all about God stepping into our world of disappointment, heartache and failure. He came to share our life of pain and sorrow; He came to give us His life of joy, peace and bliss.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, come to me in my disillusionment and pain. Reassure me of Your power to heal my pain, provide all my needs, and lead me to unending joy in Your presence. Amen.
