December 28th, 2025
by Lars Dahl
by Lars Dahl
When we think about Christmas, we often focus on the beauty of the nativity scene, the humble stable, the star, the shepherds, and wise men. But beneath the familiar story lies a theological truth so profound that without it, there would be no Christianity at all. The virgin birth isn't merely a charming detail of the Christmas narrative; it's the cornerstone of our salvation.
An Ordinary Girl, An Extraordinary Calling
Mary was living an unremarkable life in an unremarkable town, betrothed to an unremarkable man. She wasn't seeking a miracle. She wasn't performing religious duties to earn God's favor. She was simply living her life when the angel Gabriel appeared with news that would change the course of human history.
The message was clear: "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you."
Notice something crucial here: Mary didn't summon this encounter. She didn't earn it through good works or exceptional piety. God initiated it. This is the heart of the gospel: God pursues us. He doesn't wait for us to become worthy. He moves toward us in love while we're still ordinary, still flawed, still unaware of what He wants to do through us.
Mary was called "highly favored" not because of what she had done, but because of what God was about to do through her. The same is true for every believer. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are highly favored, not because you've earned it, but because God has chosen to work through you.
Fear and Faith
Mary's first response was fear. When the supernatural breaks into our ordinary lives, fear is natural. Throughout Scripture, whenever angels appear, their first words are almost always: "Do not be afraid." There are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible, one for every day of the year. This isn't coincidence; it's divine intention. God knows we struggle with fear, and He addresses it not by denying its existence but by offering His presence.
"The Lord is with you."
That's the answer to fear. Not that circumstances will be easy, but that God will be present. The angel didn't tell Mary her path would be simple. He told her God would walk it with her.
Many of us carry fear like a familiar companion. Fear of the future, fear of loss, fear of the unknown. But Scripture redirects our focus: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things" Philippians 4:8.
Instead of feeding our fear, we must refocus on God's truth and His promises.
The Question That Reveals Everything
When Mary asked, "How can this be, since I don't know a man?" she wasn't expressing disbelief, she was expressing honest confusion. There's a profound difference. Her question invited explanation; it didn't reject the promise.
God's response reveals the theological necessity of the virgin birth: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."
This is where we must pause and grasp something essential.
Why the Virgin Birth Matters
Psalm 51:5 tells us we were "conceived in iniquity" and "born in sin." This isn't about blaming our parents, it's about recognizing a universal human condition. From conception, every person inherits a fallen nature bent toward sin. We don't become sinners when we commit our first sin; we sin because we are already sinners by nature.
Romans 5:12 confirms this: "Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men." Adam's sin affected all humanity. Every person conceived through ordinary means enters life under Adam's fallen nature.
Here's the critical point: humanity cannot produce a savior.
If Jesus had been conceived like every other child, He would have inherited Adam's sinful nature. He would have been born in sin. He would need forgiveness rather than being able to offer it. He couldn't be the spotless Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, something unprecedented happened. Jesus was conceived not in iniquity but in holiness. The virgin conception broke the chain of Adam's corruption while giving us Jesus in full human form.
Fully God, Fully Man, Fully Sinless
The virgin birth accomplished something theologians call the "hypostatic union", Jesus was fully God and fully man simultaneously. He was truly human (born of Mary, experiencing hunger, suffering, and death) yet fully divine (conceived by the Holy Spirit, without inherited sin).
This is why the angel's wording matters: not that Jesus would "become" holy, but that "the Holy One who is to be born" would be called the Son of God. From the first moment of His human existence, Jesus was perfect holiness.
This is the gospel foundation:
Where Adam gave us inherited sin, Jesus gives us inherited righteousness.
The Response: Surrender
After hearing the impossible, Mary's response was simple and profound: "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true."
She surrendered, knowing it would cost her reputation, comfort, and control.
God still calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He's calling you. The specifics differ for each person, but the response remains the same: surrender.
Then go. Tell people about Christ, with your words and through your actions. Let your life reflect the miracle of what God has done.
Nothing Is Impossible
The angel's words to Mary echo through the centuries: "For with God nothing will be impossible."
The virgin birth proves it. The God who could conceive a sinless Savior in a virgin's womb can work in your impossible situation. He can use your ordinary life for His extraordinary purposes.
This Christmas season and beyond, remember: You serve a God who pursues you, who addresses your fears with His presence, and who accomplished the impossible to save you.
The virgin birth isn't just a Christmas story. It's the reason we have hope, peace, joy, and love. It's the reason we can stand forgiven before a holy God.
It's everything.
An Ordinary Girl, An Extraordinary Calling
Mary was living an unremarkable life in an unremarkable town, betrothed to an unremarkable man. She wasn't seeking a miracle. She wasn't performing religious duties to earn God's favor. She was simply living her life when the angel Gabriel appeared with news that would change the course of human history.
The message was clear: "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you."
Notice something crucial here: Mary didn't summon this encounter. She didn't earn it through good works or exceptional piety. God initiated it. This is the heart of the gospel: God pursues us. He doesn't wait for us to become worthy. He moves toward us in love while we're still ordinary, still flawed, still unaware of what He wants to do through us.
Mary was called "highly favored" not because of what she had done, but because of what God was about to do through her. The same is true for every believer. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are highly favored, not because you've earned it, but because God has chosen to work through you.
Fear and Faith
Mary's first response was fear. When the supernatural breaks into our ordinary lives, fear is natural. Throughout Scripture, whenever angels appear, their first words are almost always: "Do not be afraid." There are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible, one for every day of the year. This isn't coincidence; it's divine intention. God knows we struggle with fear, and He addresses it not by denying its existence but by offering His presence.
"The Lord is with you."
That's the answer to fear. Not that circumstances will be easy, but that God will be present. The angel didn't tell Mary her path would be simple. He told her God would walk it with her.
Many of us carry fear like a familiar companion. Fear of the future, fear of loss, fear of the unknown. But Scripture redirects our focus: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things" Philippians 4:8.
Instead of feeding our fear, we must refocus on God's truth and His promises.
The Question That Reveals Everything
When Mary asked, "How can this be, since I don't know a man?" she wasn't expressing disbelief, she was expressing honest confusion. There's a profound difference. Her question invited explanation; it didn't reject the promise.
God's response reveals the theological necessity of the virgin birth: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."
This is where we must pause and grasp something essential.
Why the Virgin Birth Matters
Psalm 51:5 tells us we were "conceived in iniquity" and "born in sin." This isn't about blaming our parents, it's about recognizing a universal human condition. From conception, every person inherits a fallen nature bent toward sin. We don't become sinners when we commit our first sin; we sin because we are already sinners by nature.
Romans 5:12 confirms this: "Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men." Adam's sin affected all humanity. Every person conceived through ordinary means enters life under Adam's fallen nature.
Here's the critical point: humanity cannot produce a savior.
If Jesus had been conceived like every other child, He would have inherited Adam's sinful nature. He would have been born in sin. He would need forgiveness rather than being able to offer it. He couldn't be the spotless Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, something unprecedented happened. Jesus was conceived not in iniquity but in holiness. The virgin conception broke the chain of Adam's corruption while giving us Jesus in full human form.
Fully God, Fully Man, Fully Sinless
The virgin birth accomplished something theologians call the "hypostatic union", Jesus was fully God and fully man simultaneously. He was truly human (born of Mary, experiencing hunger, suffering, and death) yet fully divine (conceived by the Holy Spirit, without inherited sin).
This is why the angel's wording matters: not that Jesus would "become" holy, but that "the Holy One who is to be born" would be called the Son of God. From the first moment of His human existence, Jesus was perfect holiness.
This is the gospel foundation:
- No virgin birth = no sinless Savior
- No sinless Savior = no substitutionary atonement
- No substitutionary atonement = no salvation
Where Adam gave us inherited sin, Jesus gives us inherited righteousness.
The Response: Surrender
After hearing the impossible, Mary's response was simple and profound: "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true."
She surrendered, knowing it would cost her reputation, comfort, and control.
God still calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He's calling you. The specifics differ for each person, but the response remains the same: surrender.
Then go. Tell people about Christ, with your words and through your actions. Let your life reflect the miracle of what God has done.
Nothing Is Impossible
The angel's words to Mary echo through the centuries: "For with God nothing will be impossible."
The virgin birth proves it. The God who could conceive a sinless Savior in a virgin's womb can work in your impossible situation. He can use your ordinary life for His extraordinary purposes.
This Christmas season and beyond, remember: You serve a God who pursues you, who addresses your fears with His presence, and who accomplished the impossible to save you.
The virgin birth isn't just a Christmas story. It's the reason we have hope, peace, joy, and love. It's the reason we can stand forgiven before a holy God.
It's everything.
Lars Dahl
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