Born of the Virgin Mary (The Apostles’ Creed)
by Sal Huckel
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But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 1:20).
Read Matthew 1:18–25
Joseph’s obedience to the Lord in honouring his betrothal to Mary is the final piece of the puzzle that makes up Jesus’ earthly genealogy. It’s the action that causes Jesus to fulfil the prophecy in Scripture and brings Jesus’ birth into the line of David.
We read in Isaiah 7:14: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.’
Joseph did not question the instructions given to him by the angel of the Lord, despite the fact it goes against all natural laws we are aware of. It all does, really, doesn’t it?! Angel of the Lord – unusual. Virgin conception – impossible? Yet Joseph responds in faith to the message, and Scripture is fulfilled. We know this is not the only dream that Joseph has and acts on.
While we might think it was easy for Joseph, Mary and the Magi to heed the messengers sent to instruct or warn them about their next steps, we can hardly call it easy when we see what was expected of them or what they were required to believe. Yet, thanks to their faithfulness, the Scriptures were indeed fulfilled, and we have all that followed laid out for us in the New Testament.
If we believe that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected after three days, how is it any more difficult for us to believe the virgin birth even though we ‘only’ have it written down in Scripture?
Lord, you say that everything is possible for those who believe. I believe! Help me in my unbelief (Mark 9:24)! Thank you for the words of the Apostles’ Creed, which we declare together regularly for good reason. As I speak those words, please help me to continue to believe them, protect and grow my faith, trust in the Scriptures, and teach me to walk in your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel, and they live in Victoria with their six children, enjoying their ministry with Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church. Their two eldest children are excited to study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels during term time in Sydney. Theology, music, philosophy, literature and history are passions the family shares and explores together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
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