now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. when his mother mary had been betrothed to joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [matthew 1:18]
Jesus, the Christ, was born in human flesh from the womb of a virgin – miracle.
he was born through a woman … a young girl … who would be impregnated by the Spirit of God … not her earthly husband.
imagine her wonder, fear, hope, anxiousness, amazement. imagine the angels watching this girl, holding the King of kings in her belly.
God promised her this would happen, that she would be “with child” from the Holy Spirit. (luke 1:35) and, it happened – miracle. this was and still is amazing! but what’s more amazing is the why. why did God do this? why was Jesus born of a virgin? why did Jesus have to be born of a virgin?
first, it was a sign to those looking for the Messiah, the Christ, who would come to be God with us – to save us. being born in this way would signal to all who had been looking and all who would look in the future, like you, that this child was actually God with us, Immanuel.
“therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” [Isaiah 7:14]
second, it was necessary for Jesus to be the God/man who would become a holy sacrifice for our unholy lives. the death of Jesus in our place only works if he is holy, without sin. i could not take your place and pay for your sin before just and holy God, for i too am full of sin and guilt before God. i too must die for my sin. the only one who could take your place and my place is someone who is without sin. someone who (1) was holy and (2) could die. Jesus fulfilled this as fully God (holy) and fully man (could die).
for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [2 corinthians 5:21]
so, God the Father sent God the Spirit to put God the Son in a young girl named mary so you and i could have a way back to God – miracle.
CHRISTmas is full of miracles …
an amazing star points the way.
lowly shepherds see angels announcing the Kings birth.
the King is prophesied to be born of the tribe of judah in bethlehem.
a virgin bears a child.
God wraps himself in skin.
a baby is recognized and worshipped as King by travelers from far.
but the greatest miracle is that all these miracles happened so you could be made right with God so you could be with God.
merry CHRISTmas! worship our King, your King – the God of miracles! and may the wonder of CHRISTmas never leave your heart!
~ john ryan