Why Is the virgin birth important?

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Andy Williams in his hit song said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Instinctively, we understand that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But why is Christmas so profound? Why is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year?

The answer is found in the virgin birth. The very heart of Christmas is the virgin birth. The Bible places a tremendous emphasis on the virgin birth. Matthew 1:18 says, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with Child by the Holy Spirit.” In Matthew 1:20 the angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child Who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son…”

Actually, it was not the virgin birth but the virgin conception. Jesus was born as any naturally born child. Mary was pregnant for nine months and then gave birth. Perhaps you witnessed the birth of your child. Or maybe you have given birth. If so, Jesus was born in the same way as any naturally born child. A better understanding is the virgin conception. Let’s understand the virgin conception in two points…..

First, many people misunderstand this important truth. Some confuse the birth of Jesus with the immaculate conception of Mary. The immaculate conception says that Mary was born sinless to protect the deity of Jesus. However, the Bible does not teach the immaculate conception of Mary. In Luke 1:47 Mary refers to God as “my Savior.” Mary was a sinner like you and me. Mary was an amazing person but she was a sinner. She needed a Savior.

The influence of Greek mythology causes some to misunderstand the birth of Jesus. There was no sexual activity between God and Mary. The conception of Jesus was a supernatural, creative work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit implanted life in the womb of Mary.

Second, we need to understand this very important truth. If you asked the average Christian, “Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus?” They would answer, “Yes.” But if you asked, “Why do you believe in the supernatural conception of Jesus?” they would not know how to answer.

The virgin conception did not cause the deity of Jesus. Jesus is eternal. He is the Second Person of the Trinity. His life began in eternity past. He has no beginning and no ending.

Others believe that the sin nature is handed down through the father- therefore the virgin conception was necessary. This is also not taught by the Scriptures. In Psalm 51:5 David said, “In sin did my mother conceive me.” God supernaturally protected Jesus from the sin nature of Mary.

Why the virgin conception? Think of it this way. When a man and a woman come together they produce a new person. If Joseph and Mary had come together in marriage they would have produced a new person. Jesus would have then been two persons. Jesus was already God. He simply needed to add humanity to His deity and become the God-Man!

As the Spirit created life in Genesis 1, so the Spirit produced life in Mary. Matthew 1:20 says, “…for the Child Who has been conceived in her is of (literally, out of) the Holy Spirit.” Jesus became like you and me except for sin. He was fully God and fully Man. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD described Jesus as “truly God and truly Man.”

Jesus is our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). A priest represents a person before God. Jesus did what you and I should have done. He lived a perfect life. Jesus did what you and I could never do. He offered a perfect sacrifice. After living a perfect life He went to the cross. He suffered and paid for our sins. The Father’s punishment of our sins was placed upon Jesus.

What does this mean? It means that Jesus understands your pain and difficulties and frustrations. He became like you. He lived in this frustrating, sinful world. Jesus is the only Person Who perfectly understands you.

It means that Jesus will be the God-Man for all eternity. Jesus did not discard His humanity at the ascension. Philippians 3:21 teaches that Jesus will be the God-Man for all eternity. He will represent us before the Father for all forever. Romans 5:2 says that every believer stands “in grace.” This is because Jesus is the God-Man for all eternity.

Andy Williams sang, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all, with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings, when friends come to call, it’s the hap-happiest season of all. There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. There’ll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.”

My family loves our Christmas traditions. Traditions are good and beneficial. But let’s not lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. God became One of us to live a perfect life and offer a perfect sacrifice to secure our eternity with Him! Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.