Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14
From the very beginning, everything about the birth of Christ was miraculous. The Bible gives us accounts of a few miraculous births such as Isaac and Samuel who were born to barren women. However, they were born under otherwise natural means. Other babies were born to grow into a champion to save God’s people from oppression and chaos such as Samson. Others were promised to become prophets to lead the people back to God and His will. None other than Jesus of Nazareth was born to a virgin who had not known the intimacy of marriage.
Some have tried to explain away Isaiah 7:14 as a reference to a young mother who had not previously known a man before conception. However, the New Testament does not leave us this option. Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel who announced to her that she would be with child of the Holy Ghost. Her resulting pregnancy was indisputably miraculous. Read Luke 1:26-35 for more details.
Thus the Lord’s special nature was evident from the beginning. He was born of a virgin. This sign alone tells us He was a miracle child. In fact miracles bookended the Savior’s life on earth, and the saints through the ages have rejoiced to know the wonder of it. We call it the Incarnation of God’s Word.
Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’ incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel. – Hark! The herald angels sing.