And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34

Few things sound as miraculous to a new mother as a calm night of rest and peace as her newborn baby sleeps. And yet, as wonderful, heavenly, and even unbelievable as that might sound, that is not the miracle proclaimed in Luke 1, nor is it the mystery celebrated in the carol “Silent Night.” Luke tells us that the angel Gabriel visited Mary and announced to her that, though she was a virgin, she would give birth to the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

Yet, every account of Jesus’ birth in the Bible insists on virgin birth.

Humanly speaking, it is utterly impossible for a virgin to give birth. Luke, who was a physician, certainly would have understood this. Furthermore, Mary’s question to the angel Gabriel reveals that she also understood the basics of human reproduction. Yet, every account of Jesus’ birth in the Bible insists on virgin birth. In fact, the virgin birth was announced centuries beforehand by the prophet Isaiah, who said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Virgin birth is not a detail we can simply ignore or agree to disagree on. It is no secondary matter. Furthermore, the virgin birth is not just central to the Christmas story; it is central to the Gospel itself.

The reason we struggle with the virgin birth is because we have domesticated God and turned him into a small, tame, well-mannered household pet of a deity.

The reason we struggle with the virgin birth is because we have domesticated God and turned him into a small, tame, well-mannered household pet of a deity. We have made God in our image. But that is not the God of the Bible. The God revealed in the Scriptures spoke all of creation into existence out of nothing. He is not bound by our limitations or weaknesses, nor is he afraid to offend our sensibilities. He is God, we are not. And we live in his world, not the other way around.

The angel Gabriel reminded Mary that, “‘... nothing will be impossible with God.’” (Luke 1:37) Not virgin birth. Not atonement. Not resurrection. Not the full and complete restoration of the world. Not your own salvation. Do you believe that?

Our God is the God of the impossible.

As you reflect upon the virgin birth of Christ this Advent season, may you be reminded that nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Our God is the God of the impossible. He is not just the God of virgin birth; he is the God who saves sinners. Whatever challenges you face, may the truth of virgin birth give you a renewed and profound trust in the unlimited and sovereign power of God.

Liturgy

Omnipotent God,

What is impossible for us is as nothing to you.
Your power knows no limitations.
You know neither weakness nor want.

You spoke the world into existence out of nothing.
You parted the Red Sea.
You fed your people with bread from heaven.
You brought down the walls of Jericho.
You defeated your people’s enemies.
And by the matchless power of your Holy Spirit,
The Virgin Mary conceived our Lord.

Truly, there is none like you.

None.

God, renew our hope in You.
Help us to see each challenge in the light of your omnipotence.
Give us the humility of Mary, that we too may say,
“‘...I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word.’” (Luke 1:38)

It’s in your powerful name that we pray,
Amen