Exposition
Larry King, the famous CNN talk show host, was once asked whom he would most want to interview if he could choose any historical figure. He replied “Jesus Christ”. The questioner then enquired “What would you like to ask Him?” King said, “I would like to ask Him if He was indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me”. Like Larry, it is humanly illogical for a virgin to give birth. By God’s own design, a woman can only give birth when she has a sexual union with a man (Genesis 4:1). But in the case of Christ, it was not so because, before Joseph and Mary could meet, she was found to be with a child through the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Have you ever stopped to think about the deeper meaning of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ as narrated in the above Scriptures?
Sometimes, because of our familiarity with the “story”, we may miss its real significance, The virgin birth of the Son of God distinguishes Him from other religious leaders. It forms the basis of our faith. It confirms His deity and humanity (Col. 1:15); that He is fully God and fully man. In other words, God became a man (John 1:1, 14). The angel affirms that the one born of this virgin conception will be called “God with us”, that is Immanuel. We see from the Scriptures that Isaiah prophesied about His unique birth and his prediction came through as Christ was born by a virgin called Mary.
The virgin birth also affirms Christ’s sinless nature because He does not carry the sinful nature of man. His blood carries no inherited sin so it is potent to save the sinner! To be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus Christ is the complete human expression of the eternal God. He is more than a holy man, a prophet or a martyr. He is God. Jesus’ birth is unique and miraculous. To undermine the authenticity of the virgin birth means Christ is not fit to be the Saviour of the world. This makes it crucial. As we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate His virgin birth that brought the Saviour into this world. It is a season of reflection and not just merry-making.