The Virgin Birth of Christ – Myths and Conceptions

Introduction
If I told you I had no human biological father, would you believe me? That is exactly what the Bible claims about Jesus Christ. Some respond with disbelief, just as they do about other Bible miracles: the flood, the burning bush, or the Red Sea. Yet Scripture affirms the virgin birth plainly and powerfully. And if Jesus was not conceived and born of a virgin, then we have no Savior at all. This doctrine goes to the heart of who He is and what He has done for us.

Falsehoods About the Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1–8 records the true account, yet man has often twisted it.

First, many insist that Jesus was born on December 25. But Scripture never gives us the date. Luke 2:8 shows shepherds in the fields at night, something common only between April and October. Luke 2:1 reminds us of a census, more likely taken after harvest, not in the middle of winter. History records a census cycle, and though some try to call Luke mistaken, silence in secular history does not mean absence in God’s Word.

Second, the celebration of Christmas itself arose later. For the first two centuries of the church, no one celebrated Jesus’ birthday. Origen (185–254 AD) warned against it, saying that only sinners celebrated birthdays. The first recorded observance of December 25 came in 336 AD, tied to pagan Roman festivals for the sun god and Mithras.

Third, nativity scenes often confuse shepherds with wise men. Luke 2:16 places shepherds at the manger. Matthew 2:11 records wise men arriving later, when the family was in a house and Jesus was called a “young child.” Scripture is clear—the two visits were not simultaneous.

Fourth, some claim Mary remained a perpetual virgin. But Matthew 1:25 says Joseph “kept her a virgin until she gave birth.” Matthew 13:55–56 mentions Jesus’ brothers and sisters by name. This false doctrine arose from the mistaken idea that marital intimacy was sinful. The Bible corrects that error plainly.

Biblical Confirmation of the Virgin Birth
Prophecy pointed to it. Isaiah 7:14 foretold that a virgin would conceive. Isaiah 9:6–7 and Isaiah 11:1 promised a Son from David’s line. Micah 5:2 declared the place of His birth.

The gospel writers affirmed it. Matthew 1:22–23 cites Isaiah’s prophecy. Luke 1:27–35 records Gabriel announcing to Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her. Mary’s own words in Luke 1:34 testify to her virginity. Joseph himself was told by the angel in Matthew 1:18–21 that the child was from the Holy Spirit.

The genealogies carefully avoid calling Joseph the father. Matthew 1:16 says Joseph was the husband of Mary, “by whom” Jesus was born. Luke 3:23 adds “as was supposed.” Together, these records confirm Jesus had no earthly father.

This evidence is consistent, reliable, and abundant. In any courtroom, such a witness chain would stand.

Objections to the Virgin Birth
Some object that it is biologically impossible. Of course it is! That is the point. This was a miracle. The same God who created Adam from dust can surely create life in Mary’s womb by His Spirit.

Others argue that other religions claim virgin births. But the records for Buddha, Krishna, and Zoroaster do not compare. Their stories are late, inconsistent, and contradictory. The gospel accounts are ancient, numerous, and consistent. Christianity alone rests on historical evidence.

Why the Virgin Birth Matters
First, it proves the nature of Christ. He was fully human, feeling hunger, thirst, and fatigue (Hebrews 4:15). Yet He was also fully God—the only begotten Son (John 3:16). Colossians 2:9 says, “In Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form.”

Second, it proves the mission of Christ. Only God could forgive sins. To be the supreme sacrifice, He had to be both God and man. A mere human could not atone for the sins of the world.

To deny the virgin birth is to deny the core of Christianity itself. Without it, we would have no salvation and no Savior.

Conclusion
We ought to believe and proclaim without shame that Jesus was conceived and born of a virgin. This truth means He is not merely human, but the unique God-Man, fully divine and fully human. The virgin birth is not a side doctrine; it is central to our faith and our salvation.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline: The Virgin Birth of Christ 2 – Myths and Conceptions

Introduction

• Virgin birth often doubted as other miracles are.

• Essential doctrine: without it, no Savior.

I. Falsehoods About Jesus’ Birth
A. Date of birth not December 25 (Luke 2:1–8).

• Shepherds in fields only in warmer months.

• Census after harvest.

• Later adoption of Dec. 25 tied to pagan festivals.

B. Christmas celebration arose centuries later.

• Origen opposed birthday feasts.

• First recorded in 336 AD.

C. Confusion of shepherds and wise men.

• Shepherds at manger (Luke 2:16).

• Wise men later at house (Matthew 2:11).

D. Perpetual virginity of Mary is false.

• Matthew 1:25: “until she gave birth.”

• Matthew 13:55–56: brothers and sisters named.

II. Biblical Confirmation of Virgin Birth
A. Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6–7; Micah 5:2.
B. Gospel testimony: Matthew 1:22–23; Luke 1:27–35.
C. Mary’s testimony (Luke 1:34).
D. Angel’s testimony to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–21).
E. Genealogical carefulness: Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23.
F. Evidence reliable and consistent.

III. Objections Addressed
A. Biological impossibility: answered by miracle.
B. Pagan parallels: shown unreliable compared to Scripture.

IV. Importance of Virgin Birth
A. Nature of Christ.

• Fully man (Hebrews 4:15).

• Fully God (John 3:16; Colossians 2:9).

B. Mission of Christ.

• Only God could forgive sins.

• Required perfect God-Man sacrifice.

C. Denial of virgin birth destroys Christianity.

Conclusion

• Believe and affirm the virgin birth.

• Jesus is the unique God-Man.

• Our salvation rests on this truth.

Call to Action

Let us hold firmly to the truth of the virgin birth. Do not be shaken by myths or false claims. Proclaim that Jesus Christ is both God and man, our only Savior. Defend this doctrine, for in it rests the hope of eternal life.

Key Takeaways

• Scripture and prophecy confirm the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22–23).

• False traditions distort the facts of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8; Matthew 2:11).

• The virgin birth affirms Christ’s dual nature: fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9).

• Denying it undermines the very core of Christianity.

• We must boldly affirm Jesus as the unique God-Man and Savior.

Scripture References

• Luke 2:1–8 – Birth account.

• Matthew 2:1–11 – Wise men visit.

• Matthew 1:18–25 – Angel to Joseph.

• Luke 1:27–35 – Angel to Mary.

• Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6–7; Micah 5:2 – Prophecies.

• Colossians 2:9 – Fullness of deity.

• Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus tempted as man.

• John 3:16 – Only begotten Son.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO