Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12 NIV)
No matter how many times I hear the Christmas Story, I’m struck by how it defies human logic. It is simply extraordinary in its improbability. A virgin giving birth. A baby, who would change the course of human history, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The first announcement delivered in the middle of the night to lowly shepherds by way of a heavenly host.
By any human measure, it’s impossible.
And yet, it happened.
The Christmas story is a story of hope. It is a testament to what happens when we trust that there’s a plan greater than our own. It reminds us that even when things seem impossible, we’re capable of more than we think.
As a business coach, I love helping people discover just how much they are capable of. One of my favorite activities with clients involves brainstorming. At the beginning, I’ll usually ask, “How many ideas do you think you can come up with in three minutes?” The typical answer is ten or fifteen. Then I smile and say, “Let’s go for 30.”
The challenge is usually met with groans, nervous laughter, and more than a little bit of disbelief. Sometimes they will even say it’s impossible.
But then something amazing happens. We start the clock and begin listing ideas on the whiteboard. It starts off slowly, but then the energy in the room builds. After the timer sounds, we count. Usually, to 35 or 40.
The truth is, all too often, we sell ourselves short. We assume certain things can’t be done because we’ve never seen them done.
But impossible is just a starting point.
It’s a chance to reimagine what’s possible. To get past our fears. To lean into our faith in ourselves and our faith that God can work through us to achieve the extraordinary.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV)
The call of Christmas is to approach every challenge with this very same sense of possibility. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to focus on our limitations. But Christmas reminds us to have the courage to believe in the impossible. As leaders, it is a gift to those we lead when we dream big, push beyond what’s comfortable, and trust that God has equipped us with the resources we need, even if they aren’t obvious yet.
This Christmas, as you reflect on the miracle of the season, I encourage you to think about what “impossible” might look like in your life or work. What goal, dream, or challenge have you written off as unattainable? What steps could you take toward it, trusting that the outcome isn’t just up to you?
The Christmas story began in a manger, but its impact has echoed through centuries. That’s the power of believing in what some say is impossible—and having the courage to take the first step.