Immanuel - God with Us

Did you have to memorize the Apostle’s Creed at any time in your life? I did in grade school. It was most likely used in the early church as a baptismal affirmation. The second part of the statement goes:

“I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,

As we celebrate the Christmas season we remember the holy birth of Jesus. He had no earthly father, though Joseph served in that role. His birth happened as it was foretold by the prophet Isaiah 7:14. Not only was this a sign for us to be able to recognize that Jesus came from God, but the virgin birth also underscores the role of the Holy Spirit and it also affirms Jesus as both truly God and truly man.

It was important to the early Christians to include this line about Jesus Christ. By including the affirmation of the virgin birth

• It elevates Christ above being just a wise sage or a moral revolutionary.

• It holds up Jesus as being the only way to having a right relationship with God.

• It upholds the truthfulness of the events in Scripture.

• It recognizes Christ’s full deity and full humanity.

• It emphasizes the gift of God’s grace—He came to us!

As you sing those Christmas songs and wonder about the Holy Night, remember the importance of the virgin birth and hold to it as an essential part of what you believe.

-Daniel Jensen
Director of Camp Ministries
Lakeside Bible Camp