HOPE FOR TODAY: The miracle of the virgin birth

The center piece of the Christmas season is the birth of Jesus. Popular Christmas songs, various figurine displays and holiday sermons all make it prominent. But what about Jesus’ birth specifically, makes Christmas, Christmas?

His virgin birth.

The virgin birth became the method through which Jesus came from heaven to earth. It was how God became a man and humbly lived among us. Often Jesus referred to Himself as being sent by His Father in heaven. The virgin birth is how that happened.

Jesus eternally existed in heaven until one marvelous day. It was then He left His Father and the angels in His celestial home, to become a seed planted inside of a young virgin’s womb.

I cannot imagine what heaven must have been like, seeing Him go.

And Mary became God’s chosen instrument to bring His Son into the world. She was a woman in her teenage years when she and her fiancé, Joseph, were preparing to wed. It was during this time Mary had an encounter that would change her life and the world, forever. An angel appeared to her and communicated a message from the Lord God. “…you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31).

Thinking logically, Mary could not understand. She replied to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).

The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy – the Son of God... For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:35, 38).

The virgin birth was necessary because of who Jesus was, a holy, perfect, and sinless Being.

And God the Father chose Mary to bring Him into the world. Mary was faithful to the Lord and a virgin. One who was pure and had never lain with a man. Though Mary was not sinless herself, God made her holy, which prepared her to receive the Son of God.

The virgin birth was also necessary because of the cross. Only Jesus could have died on the cross and provide forgiveness for the sins of the world. In all the universe there was no one so good, so right as was He. There would be no resurrection, no cross if there was no virgin birth.

The virgin birth was no myth, legend or allegory. It is a historical fact, albeit, a miraculous one. No scientist can explain or fully understand it. It is a complete miracle in how a virgin can give birth to a child.

Do you believe in the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus came from heaven to earth for you and your household. For it is only through His birth and resurrection, both miracles, that you can have the hope of forgiveness and be spared from the judgment of God.

A prayer for you: “Lord God, I pray you will help us to believe in the virgin birth of your Son. It is a miracle. It defies human reasoning and logic. How could this be? Help us to believe and to yield our lives fully to you. For you are the God of the impossible. Do the impossible within me. Change my heart. Change my life today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Clint Decker is President of Great Awakenings. Hope for Today is a nationally syndicated column. If God used one of Clint’s columns to impact your life, share your story at cdecker@greatawakenings.org .