Faith at Christmas

As Christmas draws near, many of us feel the pressure—shopping left to do, meals to prepare, houses to clean, and plans still unsettled. In the midst of that hurry, it’s tempting to want to skip to the end. So here it is: have faith in God. That is the heart of Christmas.

In Luke’s telling of the Christmas story, Mary—young, ordinary, and facing an impossible future—responds to God with a simple but courageous faith: “Let it be with me according to your word.” What made that response possible?

First, Mary heard a truth we all need to hear: the Lord is with you. At the core of Christian faith is the trust that God is not distant or absent. God is present—right here, right now—through the Spirit of Christ. Wherever we are and whatever we face, the Lord is with us.

Second, Mary was strengthened by an example. She was told that Elizabeth, long thought unable to have children, was now pregnant. Seeing God at work in someone else’s life gave Mary courage for her own. Our faith, too, is often strengthened when we listen to the stories of others and notice where God is already at work.

Finally, Mary heard a daring word: nothing is impossible with God. That promise is not meant to be stitched onto a pillow and admired from afar. It’s meant to be lived out right where we are—in our relationships, our decisions, our struggles, and our steps toward forgiveness, love, and generosity.

This Christmas, whether you are taking a first step of faith, renewing a worn-down faith, or daring to take a new one, hear the invitation again: have faith in God. The Lord is with you. God is at work. And even here, even now, nothing is impossible with God.