The Big Buts of Christmas - Part 1
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
That is a very big but.
It clarifies that Mary's pregnancy was not the result of a simple biological transaction with Joseph, but rather that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit.
This is what is meant by Virgin Birth - that Mary was a virgin and became pregnant by an act of God.
You could call this the Big But of the Virgin Mary, but, I suppose, your more reverent friends might not appreciate that.
Point is: This is what people affirm when they repeat the words of the ancient Apostle's Creed: "...
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary...
" The virgin birth is of great importance to the Christian faith.
More than seeming to fulfill details that prophets had revealed centuries earlier, the manner of Jesus birth allows for many other important teachings about him.
Elsewhere in the Bible, for instance, Jesus is portrayed as not having begun at birth in Bethlehem.
He is said to have existed eternally: God having stepped into human flesh.
Here's another but about it from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians: Jesus Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
The Bible also teaches that Jesus lived his life on earth without sin.
Here's another big but and a close cousin, the big yet, from the book of Hebrews: For (in Jesus) we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way just as we are - yet, was without sin.
This could not be the case if Jesus were simply the child of human progeny.
That sin is an inherent part of who we are becomes undeniably apparent to every parent when they hear, among their little cherub-faced toddler's first words, a defiant "No!" or an obstinate "Mine!" Why, you little sinner! As much as we'd like to blame that on our spouse's genes - "Did you just hear what YOUR daughter said?" - it's simply who we are as human beings.
Wherever you fall on those historical doctrines of Christianity, realize here that the virgin birth is critical to them - if Jesus is simply the biological child of Joseph and Mary, then those other teachings are in doubt.
Whereas, if it is a God thing...
You get the picture.
That is a very big but.
It clarifies that Mary's pregnancy was not the result of a simple biological transaction with Joseph, but rather that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit.
This is what is meant by Virgin Birth - that Mary was a virgin and became pregnant by an act of God.
You could call this the Big But of the Virgin Mary, but, I suppose, your more reverent friends might not appreciate that.
Point is: This is what people affirm when they repeat the words of the ancient Apostle's Creed: "...
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary...
" The virgin birth is of great importance to the Christian faith.
More than seeming to fulfill details that prophets had revealed centuries earlier, the manner of Jesus birth allows for many other important teachings about him.
Elsewhere in the Bible, for instance, Jesus is portrayed as not having begun at birth in Bethlehem.
He is said to have existed eternally: God having stepped into human flesh.
Here's another but about it from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians: Jesus Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
The Bible also teaches that Jesus lived his life on earth without sin.
Here's another big but and a close cousin, the big yet, from the book of Hebrews: For (in Jesus) we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way just as we are - yet, was without sin.
This could not be the case if Jesus were simply the child of human progeny.
That sin is an inherent part of who we are becomes undeniably apparent to every parent when they hear, among their little cherub-faced toddler's first words, a defiant "No!" or an obstinate "Mine!" Why, you little sinner! As much as we'd like to blame that on our spouse's genes - "Did you just hear what YOUR daughter said?" - it's simply who we are as human beings.
Wherever you fall on those historical doctrines of Christianity, realize here that the virgin birth is critical to them - if Jesus is simply the biological child of Joseph and Mary, then those other teachings are in doubt.
Whereas, if it is a God thing...
You get the picture.