CREEDE HINSHAW: Christmas is the season of the impossible … and the possible

Christmas is about the impossible … and the possible.

The oddsmakers? Who are they? What do they know? What are the odds on any single thing happening? What are the possibilities? I love the determination conveyed in the vow that “the impossible takes a little longer.”

An NFL team, behind 33-0, wins in the largest comeback in pro football history. Who could have known?

In this holy season, we remember that an aged Elizabeth, past child-bearing years, gave birth to John the Baptist. Angels made appearances. Strangers rich and poor showed up at the manger. A star moved across the heavens. Herod trembled. Ancient prophesies came to fruition.

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and announced that, though she was a virgin, she would bear a child who would be the savior of the world. The perplexed young maid asked, “How can this be?” And Gabriel answered, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Nothing impossible! Can a weary world believe? Can a cynical populace trust? Can a skeptical people find faith?

I want to be a person who believes in the possibilities and the certainties of God’s love and power. Christmas — coming in the dark winter — reminds us that light can and will always overcome the darkness. God’s world is brimming with possibility.

Here are some “impossibilities” I yearn and pray for. Some will dismiss my list; others will disagree with some things I seek. Add your own yearnings and prayers to this list:

♦ Swords beaten into plowshares

♦ Russian missiles no longer launched; Ukrainian civilians no long suffering

♦ Income inequality erased

♦ Immigrants welcomed to U.S. as Democrats and Republicans agree on policy

♦ Children no longer killed by guns

♦ Mass shootings a thing of the past

♦ Abortion no longer necessary

♦ The powerless no longer cheated and abused

♦ Homelessness and hunger a distant memory

♦ Sexual orientation affirmed

♦ Racial and religious hatred dissolved

♦ Hate crime no longer a concept

♦ Righteousness and justice abounding and abundant

♦ Literacy fervently sought after

♦ Nature and environment restored and protected

♦ Horrible diseases conquered

♦ Children loved by parents

♦ The powerless and defenseless protected

♦ Families intact and valued

♦ Churches united in common love of Christ

♦ Faith, hope and love reigning

♦ Integrity honored

♦ Laughter heard

♦ Broken relationships renewed

♦ Hatred melting faster than glaciers

♦ The lion and the lamb sleeping together

♦ A child leading us

Possibility throbs through the New Testament. Jesus says, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” (Luke 18:37). Jesus promises to a disabled man who seeks him for healing, “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

Seek the star. Hear the angels. Kneel at the manger. All things are possible.