The Virgin Birth
Monday: The necessity of a sinless Saviour
Exploring why the virgin birth was required for Jesus Christ to rescue humanity from the problem of inherited sin.
Today's Verse She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 ESV
Reflection The mission of Jesus Christ was specifically to save His people from their sins. To accomplish this, He had to be completely without sin Himself. No ordinary human can solve the problem of sin for another because every person has their own sin to deal with. Scripture teaches that we possess an inherited sinful nature; we do not just commit sins, we are born with a nature that leads us to do so. Therefore, it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to conceive the child in Mary's womb. Just as a person in a depressurised aeroplane cabin must be able to breathe through their own oxygen mask before they can help a child, a Saviour must be free from the "death" of sin to be of any use to a dying world. By being conceived of the Holy Spirit, Jesus remained the sinless, perfect sacrifice required for our redemption.
Additional Scripture
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 ESV
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5 ESV
Life Application Acknowledge that you cannot save yourself or earn right standing with God through your own efforts. Recognise the unique nature of Jesus Christ as the only one qualified to take away your sins because He alone does not share in the inherited sinful nature of man.
Prayer points
Thank Him for being the sinless lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
Ask Him to help you trust entirely in His finished work rather than your own deeds.
Pray for a deeper understanding of the miracle of His holy conception.
Tuesday: Fully God and fully man
Reflecting on how the virgin birth made the incarnation possible, allowing the Saviour to share in our humanity while maintaining His divinity.
Today's Verse But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20 ESV
Reflection The virgin birth is the mechanism through which the Son of God became the Son of Man. If Jesus had been merely the biological son of Joseph, He would be only human, and His words would be nothing more than the opinions of a devout man. However, if He had not been born of a woman's womb, He could not truly be said to be human. Because He was born of a virgin, He is uniquely fully God and fully man. This dual nature makes Him a merciful and faithful High Priest who is able to share in and know our humanity. He is the framer of reality who restricted Himself to flesh and blood so that He could represent us perfectly before the Father.
Additional Scripture
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV
Life Application When you face temptations or physical limitations, remember that your Saviour is not a distant deity. He has experienced the reality of being human. Draw comfort from the fact that He understands your weaknesses and possesses the divine power to sustain you.
Prayer points
Praise Him for His willingness to put on skin and dwell among us.
Pray for the grace to see Him as both your sovereign God and your relatable brother.
Ask Him to help you approach His throne with confidence, knowing He empathises with your struggles.
Wednesday: The miracle that proves the message
Considering how the virgin birth stands as a unique, supernatural sign that cannot be imitated or explained away by human effort.
Today's Verse All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel.” Matthew 1:22-23 ESV
Reflection The Old Testament contains many prophecies concerning the Messiah that a person could theoretically "try" to fulfil, such as riding a donkey into Jerusalem or being born in a specific village like Bethlehem. However, the virgin birth is a phenomenon strictly reserved for the Lord. No person of sound mind can claim to be born of a virgin; even their own mother would testify to the involvement of a man. This prophecy, delivered seven centuries before the arrival of Jesus Christ, serves as a foundational pillar of the faith. Without it, the entire structure of Christianity falls apart. It is a unique event in human history that confirms Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be—the supernatural Son of God.
Additional Scripture
“And you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2 ESV
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 ESV
Life Application Do not allow the world to trivialise the supernatural aspects of the Christmas story. Strengthen your faith by recognising that the virgin birth is not a fanciful tale but a recorded historical and prophetic reality that confirms the objective truth of the Gospel.
Prayer points
Pray for a steadfast heart that refuses to compromise on the essential doctrines of Scripture.
Ask Him to protect your mind from worldly philosophies that seek to explain away His miraculous power.
Thank Him for the clarity of His word and the fulfilment of His ancient promises.
Thursday: A model of prompt obedience
Learning from Joseph's immediate and quiet submission to the word of God regarding the birth of His Son.
Today's Verse When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife. Matthew 1:24 ESV
Reflection Joseph provides a perfect picture of quiet, prompt obedience. Before receiving the angelic message, he had already decided to divorce Mary quietly to avoid putting her to shame. However, as soon as the word of the Lord came to him, he did a complete "180-degree" turn. He did not call a family meeting or seek a second opinion; he simply believed and acted. While other biblical figures like Gideon or Sarah responded to divine visitations with doubt or laughter, Joseph responded with faith. The baby in the manger deserves our carols, but He also demands our immediate obedience. Joseph's example teaches us that when God speaks, the matter is settled.
Additional Scripture
But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” Genesis 18:15 ESV
Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor...” Judges 6:36-37 ESV
Life Application Examine your own response to the commands of Scripture. Are you slow to obey, or do you seek to negotiate with God? Aim for "Sir, yes Sir" type of obedience, where your actions immediately align with His revealed will.
Prayer points
Ask Him for a heart that is sensitive to His voice and ready to move at His command.
Pray for the removal of any pride or hesitation that hinders your obedience.
Pray that you would be a model of faithfulness to those around you, just as Joseph was.
Friday: Emmanuel - The God who stays
Finding peace in the promise that Jesus Christ is "God with us," offering an unbreakable presence through every season of life.
Today's Verse “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV
Reflection The name "Emmanuel" is perhaps the greatest promise in all of Scripture. It guarantees that God is with you through thick and thin. He does not merely peer down from a distant heaven to see if you are struggling; He is the God who has walked the valleys Himself. There is no battle with sin, no agonizing temptation, and no depth of grief that He does not understand. In His humanity, He wept at the grave of a friend, and He remains bound to His people today. This name is a revelation of His favourable disposition towards you. He is for you, and He has promised that He will never, under any circumstances, leave you or forsake us.
Additional Scripture
Jesus wept. John 11:35 ESV
...for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 ESV
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 ESV
Life Application When you feel alone or overwhelmed by difficulty, declare the name "Emmanuel" over your situation. Remind yourself that His presence is a "treasure trove" of spiritual riches that is always accessible to you, regardless of your feelings or circumstances.
Prayer points
Thank Him for the comfort of His constant, empathetic presence.
Pray for those who feel abandoned, that they would experience the reality of Him being with them.
Ask Him to help you walk in the awareness of His smile and delight today.
Saturday: Intimate and uninterrupted communion
Understanding that the work of Jesus Christ provides us with direct and immediate access to the Father at all times.
Today's Verse Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 ESV
Reflection Because of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins He provides, we are able to enjoy intimate and uninterrupted communion with God. We are no longer separated by our iniquity. When we reach out to Him in prayer, we are never put on hold. When we knock at His door, there is no waiting line. The birth of the Saviour means that the barrier between the Holy God and sinful man has been removed for those who believe. We can come to Him just as David did—appealing to His abundant mercy—with the confidence that He hears us and stays near to us. He is so near that even if we were to make our bed in the depths, He is there.
Additional Scripture
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Psalm 139:7-8 ESV
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:2 ESV
Life Application Make use of the "open door" you have to the Father today. Do not let "busyness" or a sense of unworthiness keep you from talking to Him. Approach Him with transparency, knowing that He already knows your heart and desires to commune with you.
Prayer points
Thank Him for the privilege of prayer and the direct access you have to His throne.
Pray for those who are struggling with a "double life," that they would find freedom in being transparent with Him.
Ask Him to take away the distractions of the world so you can focus on His presence.
Sunday: Not a tale, but a transformation
Resting in the certainty that the Gospel is the power of God, predicted by prophets and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
Today's Verse In time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. (Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing) / Matthew 1:23
Reflection As we conclude our reflections on the virgin birth, we must be boldly assured that we have not been deceived by cunningly devised stories. The account of Mary and Joseph is not a fanciful tale or enslaving propaganda; it is simply what God has said. It was predicted by the prophets and uniquely fulfilled by the Lord. To those who are perishing, this message may seem like foolishness, but for the believer, it is the wonder-working power of God. Because of the virgin birth, we do not treat Jesus as a mere guru or sage, but as our God and our Saviour. We revel in His glory and find our second birth through His redeeming love.
Additional Scripture
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psalm 51:3-4 ESV
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. (Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem)
Life Application Carry the truth of the virgin birth with you beyond the holiday season. Let it be the foundation of your confidence in the Gospel. Live as a "custodian" of this message, showing the world that Jesus is not just a figure of history, but a living Lord who has entered into your life to make you new.
Prayer points
Praise Him for being the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Pray that His name would be glorified in your community and through your local church.
Ask Him to help you never grow weary of the miraculous thing He did by becoming God with us.