Born of a Virgin….
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. – Luke 1:35
Many people are confused about the expression, virgin birth, suggesting that there was something unusual about Jesus actual birth, whereas his birth was entirely normal and natural.
It was Jesus conception that was abnormal, in fact miraculous, for he was conceived by the operation of the Holy Spirit, without the cooperation of a human father.
Does it really matter, that Jesus was conceived supernaturally? Absolutely, and the angels annunciation explain the importance to us in two specific details:
Firstly, from verse 31-33, it is stressed the “continuity” that Mary’s child would enjoy from the past, because Mary would bear him, through Mary’s genealogy, Jesus would occupy the throne of his father David. That is, Jesus would inherit from his mother both his humanity and his title to the messianic kingdom.
Secondly, in verse 35 it is stressed the “discontinuity” between Jesus and the past, because the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and the creative miraculous power of God would overshadow Mary, so that her child would be indeed unique, sinless (the holy one), and the Son of God!
God wonderfully proclaimed through the virgin Mary her son Jesus humanity and messiahship, derived from her, while his sinlessness and deity would be derived from the Holy Spirit.
Because of the virgin birth, Jesus Christ was simultaneously Mary’s son and God’s Son, human and divine!
We celebrate at Christmas, a Saviour who understands our struggles but also gives us the power to live and overcome.