12/24/16 “The Possibility of God and a God of Possibility” by Ariana K. Ellis

Please enjoy this Christmas Eve sermon from one of Pullen’s youth, Ariana K. Ellis.

Possibility is God. Possibility makes us take risks, inspires us, and rejuvenates us. Possibility is creative. It’s personal. Possibility can be taken in or ignored. It’s not always noticed and is often longed for. Possibility is omnipresent.

As long as we pursue possibilities, we are pursuing God. Taking a chance and hoping for the best, trying to make the most of what you’ve been offered, choosing to try for something you want or need. In all these things, hope, trust, and faith exist. In all these things we find God.

God is a possibility. We have no definite answers. We have infinite questions. We have doubts. We have many unknown variables. We have the possibility to explore God’s possibility together.

We do not need definite answers, nor do we need to have blind faith. God exists in the unknown, in the questions, in the doubt, and in the variables. God exists in the space between definite answers and blind faith- the space that is possibility.

God is a god of possibility. God makes us take risks, inspires us, and rejuvenates us. God is creative. He’s personal. God can be taken in or ignored. He’s not always noticed and is often longed for God is omnipresent.

God is all about bringing possibility into our lives. Tonight I want to talk about the possibility of finding God in secular things.

God is in snowball fights. He is in nature and in our relationships with other people.

God is in Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Through that movie we learn not to ignore the misfit toys and the outcasts of society.

God is in Frosty the Snowman. She teaches us to learn to let go while cherishing memories and experiences.

God is in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We learn that Christmas doesn’t come from a store.

God is in Christmas lights. They bring beauty and wonder into an often-dark world.

God is in ornaments. They bring fond memories when we look at them, but we learn not to get too attached to the physical objects because they break so easily.

God is in Christmas trees, a piece of nature we’ve been given to enjoy.

God is in wrapping paper, teaching us the magic of doing kind things for others.

God is in tinsel. He reminds us of the importance of having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously.

God is in Christmas sweaters. She warms our hearts and helps us look for common ground when we let Her in.

God is in “Jingle Bell Rock.” He teaches us the importance of making Him relevant for the present day.

God is in glitter. She’s everywhere.

God is in the wreath you might hang on your door. He brings unity to the world.

God is in hot chocolate. She adds sweetness and warmth to our lives.

God is in carolers. He is harmonious.

God is in eggnog. She is accessible to adults and children alike.

God is in stockings. He teaches us the importance of patience.

God is in Christmas parties. She shows us the delight in being together.

God is in Santa Claus. He is giving.

God is in our Christmas Eve Service. She brings many different people together for a common reason.

If you open your eyes, it’s possible to see God in many things. At Christmas, the religious blends with the secular and sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart. Maybe Christmas lights are sacred. Maybe “Jingle Bell Rock” is a hymn. I don’t know. This Christmas, let’s try to be open-minded and explore the possibility of seeing God in a different light.