It’s the Christmas season and every kind of Christmas tradition comes out of the closet and takes on a life of its own. You may enjoy cutting down your own tree (like us), baking Christmas cookies for friends and family (or yourself), or getting your fill of Christmas music. We all have special things we do and places we go at this time of year that bring back good memories and are passed on to the next generation. While Christmas traditions are good to pass along, we should also be passing along the vital truths of the Christmas season. We all know that Jesus is the “Reason for the Season” – but do you know what makes Jesus special? Do you take the time to reflect in the deep truths that the Scriptures proclaim about Christ? One of these it the vital doctrine of the virgin birth.

If you know the Christmas story from Luke or Matthew, you know that both gospel writers point out the fact that Mary was engaged to Joseph but had not known any man when she was found to be with child. The angel had to come to both Mary and Joseph to explain their circumstances to them and assure them that this was going to be a special child.

Now some groups have so over-emphasized the virgin birth that they have created a non-biblical doctrine that proposes that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire life. However, the Bible clearly tells us that Mary and Joseph had natural children of their own after Jesus (Matthew 12:46; 13:55). While the doctrine should not be over-stated, it is also something that is vital to our faith for three key reasons – because without the virgin birth of Jesus Christ….

1. Jesus Christ can not claim to be the Messiah – In the very first promise of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15, it is clear that the Messiah would come from the seed of a woman. The Messiah would not claim humanity from the seed of a man, but rather from being born from a human mother. This is further confirmed by the prophet Isaiah (7:14) where the “sign” that would confirm the Messiah is his virgin birth.


2. Jesus Christ can not be called God’s Son – The virgin birth not only assures us that Jesus Christ was fully human, but also confirms that He is fully God. Unlike John the Baptist, Moses, Abraham, Elijah, David or any of the other key Bible characters, Jesus Christ did not have a human father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God in the virgin Mary. This puts Him in a unique place where He alone can claim to be God in the flesh (Luke 1:31-35).


3. Jesus Christ’s death would mean nothing – While we focus on the birth of Christ at this season, we should always be reminded that Jesus came to suffer the punishment and die on behalf of the sins of all humanity. When He went to the cross voluntarily after living a perfect and sinless life, he was not guilty of any of the judgment and wrath that was poured out upon Him. In order for Him to be sinless, He had to be God. In order for His death on the cross to be on our behalf as humans, He needed to be human. This is what makes the transaction of grace possible as described in 2 Corinthians 5:21.

So, while you are enjoying the Christmas traditions this season, don’t forget to pass along some of these vital Christmas truths as well. We should reflect upon WHY we believe that Jesus is special and WHY He alone is worthy of worship and WHY He was able to offer us the gift of salvation. These are the important things of faith that will keep our faith strong not only in the Christmas season, but all year long.