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Saturday, December 18, 2004

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Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72
Matthew 1:18-24

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"and she's a virgin!"

"She was found with Child through the power of the Holy Spirit." —Matthew 1:18

How can this be? A "virgin shall be with Child" (Mt 1:23). "It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this Child" (Mt 1:20). Although it has been over two thousand years since Mary's virginal conception, the shock of it should still be as stunning as if it were headlined on the front page of today's newspaper.

How can this be? A pregnant virgin is impossible, a total contradiction in terms. Such an event was unprecedented in human history up to Mary's conception of Jesus, and has never happened since. Shouldn't this be the lead story on tonight's news programs?

For several months preceding this teaching, supermarket tabloids have heralded the impending birth of a baby to a homosexual woman and her female partner, a famous celebrity. When this baby was born, the birth was heralded by press conferences, tabloid headlines, and prime coverage on evening news. It was billed as a notable and "unusual" birth. Yet something as newsworthy and unusual as a virgin birth is swept under the rug by the national media! How can this be?

In seven days, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Baby conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Will Jesus receive front-page treatment in your life?

Prayer:  Father, may I fall so in love with the Baby Jesus that I can't keep the good news of His birth to myself.

Promise:  "She is to have a Son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins." —Mt 1:21

Praise:  "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free."

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004