The Miracle of Christ's Birth

            There were many births in Israel on the day when Jesus was born, but His was no ordinary birth. There never has been another like it before or since, for His was a virgin birth (Mt. 1:23). Though the doctrine of Jesus’ virgin birth is openly treated in some quarters as a fable, the Bible unequivocally affirms the unique and supernatural  character of His birth. Jesus had a human mother but no human father (Mt. 1:20).

            During this time of year some attention is devoted to the birth of Jesus in the name of a holiday known as “Christmas.” There is no divine sanction for the observance of this day as a religious day; however, it is an appropriate time for Christians to give serious consideration to reasons for accepting the virgin birth of Jesus as a vital doctrine of the Bible. The Lord’s birth is more than just a business opportunity or a respite from jobs.

            The virgin birth of Jesus is indispensable to the integrity of the Bible. The Bible plainly states that Jesus was virgin-born (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:18, 20, 23: Lk. 1:34-35). If it could be proven that the Bible is wrong in this regard, man would be forced to cast the whole Bible aside as being unreliable.

            Christ’s virgin birth made possible His incarnation. The word incarnation  refers to the divine Christ taking on human form and nature. Without His virgin birth God incarnate never would have been possible. Instead, He would have been the son of Joseph according to the ordinary course of nature. His birth, however, was a wonderful union of divine and human, of God and mankind (Jn. 1:1, 14).

            The Lord’s virgin birth was necessary for man’s redemption. This affirmation does not negate the essentiality of His blood in redeeming man (Heb. 9:22). His birth, however, made it possible for Him to “…be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). Through His virgin birth, Christ became human that He might sacrificially offer Himself in behalf of lost humanity.

            How grateful every Christian should be for Jesus’ unique birth. A religion in which the virgin birth is rejected is something other than Christianity. While others may utilize this time of year for commercial enterprise, may every child of God pause to think upon the real significance of Christ’s birth.