Born to Save: The Christmas Story of JesusSample

Embracing the Mystery of Christ’s Conception

In Matthew’s Gospel we encounter a moment both familiar and deeply mysterious: the miraculous conception of Jesus Christ. It’s a story we often read without stopping to absorb the wonder of what truly happened. The story invites us to ponder the nature of Jesus' entrance into the world. In the Incarnation, the eternal God took on human form in a way that defies all natural laws. This changed everything.

Imagine Matthew’s audience, many of whom knew Jesus personally. They knew His family, His upbringing, and His everyday life. To them, Jesus was familiar, a carpenter’s son from a small town. Yet Matthew recounts the origins of this “common” man were anything but common. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered the world through a supernatural act, free from sin. The humble birth of the Messiah was not a random occurrence; it was a divinely orchestrated miracle.

Jesus’s pre-resurrection appearance is never detailed, reminding us that God did not want us focused on external attributes. As foreshadowed by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, Jesus wasn’t remarkable in physical appearance, and this was intentional. Those who knew Him struggled with the implications of His identity precisely because He seemed so ordinary. His ordinary appearance veiled the truth of His extraordinary nature: He was fully human and fully divine, the Son of God born in human flesh.

The conception of Jesus carried the appearance of scandal. Mary, betrothed to Joseph, was found to be pregnant before their union was finalized. To the community, this would have seemed shameful, yet it was part of God’s righteous plan. Mary’s pregnancy was the divine work of the Holy Spirit. In this mysterious, supernatural act, the eternal Son of God took on a human nature in the womb of a virgin.

This moment challenges us to accept that some aspects of God’s work are beyond our comprehension. We are invited to marvel, to stand in awe, and to let the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation deepen our faith. Today, reflect on the wonder of Jesus’ conception and allow yourself to embrace the mysteries of God that defy explanation. Let this reminder of His supernatural love for us move you to deeper gratitude.