The Unlikely Made Possible: Finding Hope in the Impossible
One of my favorite kinds of stories is the underdog story. I love it when the most unlikely group of misfits somehow overcomes all odds and ends up on top.
Inspiring Stories of Unlikely Victories
Take the 1980 U.S. hockey team in the Olympics. They went up against the heavily favored Soviet team, a powerhouse made up of seasoned men who had dominated the sport. Meanwhile, our team consisted of a bunch of college kids who could not seem to win anything.
The odds were stacked against them, yet somehow, they won. We cheer them on even now because they remind us that the unlikely can still happen.
Closer to home, Detroit Lions fans hold out hope year after year. Every year, it feels unlikely that they will make it to the Super Bowl—after all, it has never happened before. But “unlikely” does not mean “impossible.”
And who can forget the classic Hallmark movie plot? A guy and a girl meet, get into a big fight, and seem to hate each other at first. It is really unlikely they will end up together, but you know how it goes. I will not spoil the ending, but I am sure you have seen that story play out a hundred times before.
When Life Feels Unlikely
The stories I just mentioned are fun, but what about when life feels unlikely?
Maybe you think it is really unlikely that your spouse will ever get saved, change, or overcome whatever it is that has been causing strain in your relationship. Perhaps you have seen no movement in years and wonder, Why would anything be different now?
Or maybe you feel like it is unlikely you will ever get power over that addiction. Smoking, drinking, sexual addictions—whatever it is, you feel stuck. You tell yourself, “I just cannot shake it.” Maybe you feel like it is unlikely you will find help, but unlikely does not mean impossible.
Looking at Your Situation from God’s Perspective
When you feel stuck, you are often judging your situation based on how things look right now or how they have been in the past. But there is another perspective—the perspective of the God who can do the impossible.
The Bible is full of unlikely stories. Just look at the book of Esther:
Yet, God orchestrated all these events to bring about His purpose.
The Unlikeliest Stories in Scripture
Consider Job. He lost everything—his camels, sheep, oxen, crops, and even all ten of his children. His friends berated him, his wife discouraged him, and he was covered in sores. From a human perspective, it seemed very unlikely that Job would ever pull through.
Or think about Abraham. It seemed unlikely he would have a son at 100 years old.
Zechariah and his wife, well past childbearing age, were told they would have a son. That was unlikely too.
And Mary, a virgin, was told she would give birth to the Son of God. That was not just unlikely—it was impossible!
Trusting the God of the Impossible
Whatever you are facing, you may feel like change is unlikely. Whether it is your spouse’s salvation, freedom from addiction, or finding joy in a difficult situation, you might feel like it is impossible. But God is not limited by what feels likely or unlikely to us.
Unlikely does not mean impossible when the God of the impossible is involved. He has done it before, and He can do it again.
In this booklet, I want to explore FIVE UNLIKELY TRUTHS from the Christmas story, as found in lines from the famous Christmas carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
1. An Unlikely Place
Bethlehem
Micah 5:2: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Christmas story is how God chose an unlikely place—Bethlehem—to bring His Son into the world. Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town, became the setting for the most significant event in human history.
Bethlehem: A Little Town with a Big Role
Micah 5:2 describes Bethlehem Ephrathah as small and insignificant:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Bethlehem was tiny—a small town about five or six miles outside Jerusalem. The word “little” does not just mean small in size; it means insignificant. Though it was the city of David and has been romanticized over the years, Bethlehem was not much to speak of. It was more like Blythe than San Diego—a small dot on the map that no one would expect to host the King of Kings.
And yet, that is exactly what happened.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
We sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” every Christmas, and its words capture the beauty of God using a small, quiet town for His great plan. The song was written by Philip Brooks, a renowned preacher in the 1800s.
Brooks stood six feet eight inches tall and was known for his loving heart, powerful preaching, and strong convictions. He ministered in Boston and Philadelphia, but traveled to the holy land in 1865. In Bethlehem on Christmas Eve that year, he attended a five-hour church service from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The experience stayed with him, and three years later, around Christmas, he penned the words to “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
“O little town of Bethlehem…”
An Unexpected Tune
Brooks asked his church organist, Lewis Redner, to put the words to music. Redner, a real estate broker who also loved to serve in church, agreed to write a tune for the children’s choir.
But inspiration did not come easily. Friday passed with no tune. Saturday came and went, and Redner still had nothing. Finally, in the early hours of Sunday morning, the day the choir was supposed to sing the song, Redner was awakened by a melody. He later said he felt as though an angel had whispered the tune in his ear.
The song was sung that evening and published in a few local leaflets. Brooks and Redner never expected it to last beyond that one service. Yet, six years later, it was included in a hymnal, and 24 years after it was written, it found a place in their denominational hymnal.
What began as a reflection on an unlikely little town became one of the most beloved Christmas hymns of all time.
God’s Choice of the Insignificant
The story of Bethlehem reminds us that God often chooses what seems insignificant to accomplish His purposes.
You might feel like you are from nowhere special, like you have nothing special to offer. You might think, “I am just from an ordinary family. I have no special talents or accomplishments. I am nothing special.”
But God sees you. God knows where you are from. And God can use you.
God’s Grace in Our Weakness
On the day of this writing we had five baptisms. Many people are nervous about being baptized because they do not like being in front of people. I get that. I married an extroverted woman, but I am not like that. Opposites attract, right? Yet here I am, doing something that is not natural for me—standing in front of people, preaching—because God called me to do it.
God gives grace to do what He calls us to do. It is not about being naturally gifted or outgoing. It is about being willing to obey His call.
If God Can Use Bethlehem, He Can Use You
Bethlehem was not special. It was not wealthy, large, or famous. But God chose it to be the birthplace of His Son.
If God can use Bethlehem, He can use your background, your family, your story—no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
It is not about where you are from. It is about whether you are willing to let God use your life. Are you?
Reflection Questions
Action Step
Ask God to use your life, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel, for His purposes.
2. An Unlikely Time
Trusting God’s Plan
Luke 2:1-7 “1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
God often chooses unlikely times to accomplish His will. Just as He used an unlikely place like Bethlehem to bring the Savior into the world, He also chose a time that seemed inconvenient and impossible.
An Unlikely Moment for Mary
Mary was nine months pregnant when the decree went out for everyone to be taxed. She and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem—a long and uncomfortable journey for a woman so close to giving birth.
Imagine Mary’s thoughts: “It’s unlikely He’ll be born now, right? Surely, I’ll make it back home first. Why would God choose this moment for His Son to be born? Why here? Why now?”
Yet, God’s timing was perfect.
The State of the World
The era in which Jesus was born seemed equally unlikely. The Roman Empire was at its peak, dominating the known world with its power and influence.
From a human perspective, it seemed impossible for the Messiah to arrive and establish a kingdom. “Not now. This is not the time,” people may have thought.
“The Hopes and Fears of All the Years”
In the song O Little Town of Bethlehem, we sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
This line captures the weight of the moment. The world had been anticipating the Messiah for centuries, and now He had come—at a time and in a way no one expected.
“The hopes and fears of all the years…”
Consider Simeon’s response in Luke 2:26-32 when he held the baby Jesus in his arms:
“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
It was unlikely that the Messiah would come during the height of the Roman Empire. Yet, God does unlikely things all the time.
God’s Perfect Timing
From a historical perspective, the timing of Christ’s birth was not random. God used centuries of empires and events to prepare the world for the Gospel.
It may have seemed unlikely for the Messiah to come when Rome was in power, but God had a bigger plan. His kingdom was not political or temporary—it was spiritual and eternal. The Roman roads and the widespread use of Greek allowed the apostles to spread the Gospel quickly and effectively. There truly was no better time for the Savior to come.
Trusting God’s Timing
You might feel like God’s timing does not make sense in your own life. Maybe you are asking:
God might be saying:
In our family devotional last night, the author of our devotional book shared a story about his children. When they were little, he would sometimes make them do things they did not understand. When they asked, “Why?” he would respond by asking,
The kids could choose to think their dad was bad, or they could trust that he loved them and wanted what was best for them.
This is the same choice we face with our Heavenly Father. We may not understand His timing or His plan, but we know He is good, He loves us, and He will never do harm to us.
Trust the Lord
Trust the Lord, and trust His timing. What may seem unlikely or inconvenient to us is part of His perfect plan. Just as He used the unlikely timing of Jesus’ birth to fulfill His purposes, He is working in your life right now—even if you cannot yet see how.
Reflection Questions
Action Step
Take time this week to trust God’s timing in a current situation. Reflect on how He has worked things out in the past.
3. Unlikely People
Mary and More
Luke 1:46-48: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.”
The Christmas story is filled with examples of God using the most unlikely people. If this story were up to us, we would probably choose the most impressive individuals—those who seem to have leadership potential or natural charisma. But God often chooses the weak things of this world to confound the wise.
Mary: An Unlikely Choice
The Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” reminds us, “For Christ was born of Mary.” But Mary has been romanticized and idolized over the years, especially in some traditions where she is elevated to a co-redemptrix or mediatrix. These views suggest that she plays an essential role in our redemption or mediates on our behalf.
“For Christ was born of Mary…”
Yet, nowhere in Scripture is Mary given such roles. She is not omnipresent—she cannot hear prayers from heaven. She is not omniscient—she does not know your thoughts. Those are attributes exclusive to God. If you believe in an omnipresent, omniscient Mary, you are adding to the Godhead. That is not biblical Christianity.
This is not to diminish Mary’s incredible role. She was, as the angel said, “highly favored” (Luke 1:28) and “blessed among women.” She was chosen by God to bring the Savior into the world. But even Mary acknowledged her need for a Savior, saying in Luke 1:47, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” She was a godly girl, but she was still a sinner saved by grace like the rest of us.
Her own words in John 2:5 reflect her understanding of her role: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” She points people to Jesus, not herself.
Other Unlikely People in the Story
Mary was not the only unlikely person God used in the Christmas story. Consider:
Each of these individuals was unlikely by human standards, yet God used them in His divine plan.
Nobody from Nowhere
Maybe you think, “I’m a nobody. I’m from nowhere. I have nothing. God could never use me.”
You are half right—you are a nobody. But the second part is wrong. God specializes in using nobodies. In fact, He chooses the weak things of this world to show His strength.
When we can get to that place of humility and say, “I’m a nobody from nowhere with nothing,” we are in a good spot. That is the humility of a servant.
When the master in the parable of the talents praised his servant, he said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Notice he did not say, “Well done, thou good and faithful pastor” or “teacher” or “leader.” The reward is for being a servant.
God Can Use You
If God can use Mary, the shepherds, and even Gentile wise men from afar, He can use you too. It is not about where you are from or how impressive your resume is. It is about being willing to say, “Lord, I’m here. Use me however you see fit.”
You may feel unlikely, but that is exactly the kind of person God delights in using. Are you ready to let Him work through you?
Reflection Questions
Action Step
Identify one way you can serve God with humility this week. Share your experience with a friend or family member.
4. An Unlikely Plan
The Gospel
1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The Gospel is not a plan anyone would have come up with. It is an unlikely plan designed by God, not man.
The Unlikeliness of God’s Plan
It is not likely that anyone would have come up with the plan God designed. If we were creating a plan for salvation, we would have made it about being strong, impressive, or good enough to earn our way. Instead, God’s plan involved His only begotten Son, born of a virgin in an insignificant town, living a humble life, and dying on a cruel cross for the sins of the world.
As a sidenote, this unlikeliness is one of the reasons I believe in the authenticity of Scripture. One of the many reasons I trust that this Bible is the Word of God is because of the uniqueness of its message.
If Christianity were manmade, no one would have come up with a sacrificial Savior who would die for the sins of people who could do nothing to deserve it. Some claim Christianity is plagiarized from ancient mythologies, but those claims do not hold up to scrutiny. If you want to study that further, I recommend Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, as well as resources from Sean McDowell, Frank Turek, and Answers in Genesis. While I do not endorse all their works, they do build a solid case for the uniqueness of Christianity.
God’s plan is unlikely, but it is perfect.
God’s Plan of Salvation
What is this unlikely plan? God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on this earth, die for our sins, and rise again.
Jesus told His followers that this would happen, but even they could not fully understand it. It was so unlikely that they missed it at first.
Most people think being a Christian is about working hard to be good:
But that is not God’s plan at all. The unlikely message of the Gospel is this:
The Weight of Sin
Every one of us carries the weight of sin. It is like the chains Jacob Marley held in A Christmas Carol. We are burdened by sin, and nothing we do can remove that burden. Only Jesus Christ can break those chains and set us free.
You might think, “I am a pretty good person. I do not need to be saved.” But even if you are not a “horrible person,” the truth is, all of us have a debt of sin. That debt can only be paid by Jesus Christ.
Baptism: Declaring God’s Plan
As I mentioned before, today we celebrated five baptisms. Baptism does not save a person—it is a public declaration of what has already happened in their heart. These individuals have trusted Christ for salvation and are now identifying with Him through baptism, following the example of Christians in the Bible.
It is the first step of obedience, an outward symbol of the inward change that has already occurred. Baptism shows that they are buried with Christ in His death and raised to walk in newness of life.
God’s Incredible Exchange
This plan may seem unlikely, but it is God’s perfect plan. When Jesus died on the cross, your sin was nailed to His cross. The judgment for your sin, the eternal punishment you deserved, was placed on Him.
And in exchange, He offers you His righteousness. Now, when God looks at you, He does not see your sin—He sees the blood of His Son covering you completely.
Your sin for His righteousness.
Your punishment for His forgiveness.
Your separation from God for eternal life with Him.
Trust God’s Plan
It is an unlikely plan, but it is not our plan—it is God’s.
Will you trust His plan today? This is not about what you can do for God. It is about what God has already done for you. Do not wait. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved.
Reflection Questions
Action Step
Share the message of the Gospel with someone this week, focusing on its simplicity and beauty.
5. An Unlikely Result Cleansing and Indwelling
1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The Christmas story reminds us of God’s incredible ability to bring about unlikely results. Through His Son, He accomplishes what we could never achieve on our own: the forgiveness of sin and the promise of His abiding presence.
Casting Out Sin
“Cast out our sin and enter in…”
In Micah 7:19, we read: “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” The Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” reflects this truth with the line: “Cast out our sin and enter in.”
What a thought! Your sin is not just forgiven—it is cast out, hurled into the depths of the sea, never to be brought against you again. The devil, the accuser, will try to bring it up, but in Christ, the charges are dropped.
It reminds me of the story of a man telling a marriage counselor about his wife. “When we argue, she always gets historical,” he said. The counselor corrected him, “You mean hysterical.” But the man insisted, “No, I mean historical—she drags up everything from the past!”
Thankfully, Jesus is not like that. He does not drag up your past sins. He does not get “historical.” Once forgiven, your sins are gone—forever. He remembers them not.
In Christ, you are granted the grace of repentance and the blessing of confession. As 1 John 1:9 promises: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Corrie Ten Boom captured this beautifully when she said: “When we confess our sins, God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. I believe God then places a sign out there that says, ‘No fishing allowed.’”
Today, your sin can be gone. Christ has already done the work to cast it out, and He stands ready to enter in.
Entering In: Emmanuel
The carol also declares: “Enter in.” This brings us to the wonder of Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
When the angel appeared to Joseph, he said: “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
“our Lord Emmanuel.”
This truth is both comforting and convicting.
A Moment of Stillness
The carol also says:
“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.”
“How silently…”
In this noisy world—and perhaps especially in this noisy season—maybe today is the time to slow down. Like Elijah, listen for the still, small voice of God. It is not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. It is in the whisper. God says to you:
An Unlikely Plan, People, and Result
The Christmas story reveals an unlikely plan, carried out through unlikely people, producing the most unlikely result: the forgiveness of sin and God dwelling with us.
Take time today to pause, listen, and marvel at the awe and wonder of our Savior. Christ has cast out our sin and entered in. Let us live in the joy of His presence.
Reflection Questions
Action Step
Spend 10 minutes each day this week in stillness, meditating on God’s presence in your life.