The birth of Jesus Christ was a miracle. Any attempt to understand it apart from that perspective is doomed to failure.

Some have tried to come up with a medical explanation of the virgin birth of Christ. These sincere people have searched the centuries for another example of a virgin with child, hoping to make the Christmas message more palatable to doubters. It is an impossible dream. Like the resurrection, the virgin birth of Christ required a miracle.

Others have focused on some bright star that might have been the one that guided the wise men to Bethlehem. But that conclusion disregards the Bible account. Try to get any known star to meet the requirements of Matthew 2:9: “…and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” That was a miracle!

We should not be surprised that the incarnation boggles the mind of man. Even Mary struggled with the angelic announcement that she would bear the Christ child. She asked: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Gabriel gave her the only answer that makes sense: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

So, it is a miracle that we celebrate at Christmas — the incarnation of the Son of God. Let that thought capture your mind and warm your heart. It is the greatest love story ever told, the story of God’s love for you and me. Those are not just “catchy” lyrics that announce: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME.”

He has come!

For with God nothing is impossible.