Reflections on the Virgin Birth for the First Day of Christmas December 25

I believe the virgin birth of Jesus …

• ·         Affirms Mary’s essential role in God’s redemptive purpose by bringing Christ into the world through Jesus.
• ·         Affirms the indispensable importance of women through salvation history in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Testament.
• ·         Affirms that from creation women fully bear the image of God.
• ·         Affirms that as a young woman of righteous character, Mary’s testimony of her sexual experience (or lack thereof) is to be believed.
• ·         Affirms the essential goodness of the material universe we inhabit and enjoy.
• ·         Affirms the essential goodness of our physical bodies.
• ·         Points ahead, not only to Jesus’ resurrection, but to our hope of the resurrection of the body to eternal life.

I do not, however, make any pretense of understanding either biology or divine intervention in explaining the virgin birth. I well understand that stories, such as Matthew and Luke tell about the birth of Jesus are not intended to be reports such as we in our time might read in newspapers or history books. That does not mean they are not true or real but that they are told in a way to evoke wonder when embracing these profound mysteries.

Neither do I consider some form of doctrinal assent to the virgin birth to be necessary for personal salvation or authentic faith in Jesus. Nor do I use it as a test to determine with whom I will share fellowship in Christ. I am quite content to welcome as my partners on this journey any who aspire to trust and follow Jesus. I believe dialog about these mysteries ought to be for mutual edification rather than dividing into rival camps. I have every confidence that the Holy Spirit can use the words of Scripture to inform and enlighten anyone about the truth of the Gospel without my interpretation. I am also confident that the Holy Spirit can use conversations with fellow travelers to shape me and even use me to shape them.

That the virgin birth is only specifically mentioned in Matthew and Luke suggests that while generally accepted by the early Church, it did not occupy their attention as it has ours, particularly since the Enlightenment. Yes, it may be tangentially inferred from a few New Testament passages (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 6:42; 9:29; Galatians 4:4) and be regarded as logical with an understanding of Jesus’ being fully God and fully human (an attempt of human rationalism to explain a mystery that the New Testament asserts but does not explain). But it is not directly cited in the New Testament passages that contain very early, proto-creedal language: Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Philippians 2:11; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2, 15.

I am very aware that I have friends from all across the theological spectrum who will take exception to something here, or even to my entire endeavor. So be it. I’m not interested in engaging in theological debate or persuasion. If I managed to prompt others to some reflection of the significance of the virgin birth at this season when it gets some public attention, well and good. If your pondering evokes awe at the wonder of the incarnation, I wish for you enriched worship through Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.