“FOR WITH GOD”
A Christmas Message – 2022
By Apostle Paul M Hanssen
Ever since the incredible experience the Virgin Mary had two millennia ago when Gabriel visited her with a message from God concerning the conception and birth of His Son, Jesus, the Christmas Story has been told over and over again. This story never gets old! It is a story of hope. It is a story of redemption. It is a story of God’s love. It is a story of peace. It is a story of God’s Kingdom and Throne being established. It is a story of joy. It is a story of promise and fulfillment, and it is a story of miracles.
No matter which aspect of the story surrounding Jesus’ birth you choose to focus on there is one common thread that ties every part of the story together. There is one word that describes what we have come to know as the Christmas Story; that word is MIRACLE. There is nothing about the story of the birth of Jesus that is not a miracle.
After Gabriel had appeared to Mary and informed her of God’s plan for her life; after he told her that she was highly favored with God; after he had explained that the Holy Ghost would overshadow her and that she would conceive; after he informed her of who her son would be and that His name was to be Jesus; and after Gabriel had also explained to Mary that her cousin, Elisabeth, who was barren was now also six months pregnant, Gabriel said these words to her…
For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).
These seven words spoken to Mary by Gabriel lay the foundation for everything that transpired in the life of Jesus over the following thirty-three and a half years, namely His conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Every aspect of His existence on this earth was a miracle. For you see, with God nothing shall be impossible! Jesus, Himself, quoted these words one day when He was teaching His disciples.
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
When God is not in the equation, that which is impossible encompasses the lives of mankind. A virgin birth is impossible, but not with God. The rebirth of a sinner is impossible, but not with God. Resurrection of the dead is impossible, but not with God. The healing of a sick, incurable body is impossible, but not with God. The list of the impossible is seemingly endless. But that which is impossible with man is possible with God – FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE.
The human population on planet earth is facing some impossible things ahead. The world is moving toward catastrophes on a scale that has not been witnessed since the flood of Noah’s day. Ecological changes loom creating storms and devastation never recorded in history. Pestilences, earthquakes, and famine have yet to affect millions of people’s lives around the world. A financial crisis never witnessed in modern history is soon to hit every financial institution and world currency around the globe. Impossible situations are going to engulf mankind. But for those of us who have placed God in the equation of our lives, the words of Gabriel given to Mary on the very first Christmas still ring true today – FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE.
We celebrate Christmas to remember and to be grateful to God for sending His Son, the greatest gift ever given to mankind! But my prayer for God’s people is that this Christmas season we will also have a new birth of faith in the power of God to perform the impossible. God is able, but do you believe?
We would like to wish you all a very Miraculous Christmas as we celebrate Jesus with whom all things are possible!
With all our love
Bro Paul and Sis Gwen Hanssen