Radical Virgin
Christmas Expectations
Imagine the scene: a young man named Joseph, engaged to be married, faces an unexpected shock. His fiancée, Mary, is pregnant—but they've never had a sexual relationship. In fact, she insists she's a virgin. At first glance, this story sounds absurd, right? It's the kind of thing you'd expect to hear as gossip, not as the foundation for a relationship. But here's where it gets interesting.
Instead of immediately making a scene or walking away, Joseph contemplates quickly breaking off the engagement, trying to spare Mary the shame and humiliation. But before he can act, something radical happens.
That night, an angel appears to him in a dream.
"Joseph, son of David," the angel says, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" (Matthew 1:20-23)
The angel's message is clear: this isn't just any pregnancy—it's a divine intervention.
This narrative, of course, is the story of the virgin birth, the miraculous beginning of Jesus' earthly life.
What appeared at first to be utterly ridiculous—the story of a pregnant virgin—becomes the foundation of something far more profound.
The story of Jesus begins with radical truth, and that truth has the power to change everything.
Radical Thinking, Radical Life
When Mary declares her pregnancy, she is thrust into a life that will demand nothing short of radical faith. She must now think radically, act radically, and trust radically. Think about it: How would you explain to your family, your friends, or your community that you were pregnant without ever having been with a man? How do you respond to the inevitable judgment and the whispers behind your back?
Yet Mary embraces the impossible. She trusts God with her whole being. And her story—though it begins with a seemingly ridiculous claim—becomes the heartbeat of the Christian faith. Mary's radical obedience to God's plan became the foundation for a world-changing miracle.
Isn't that how it works for us too?
We, too, are called to a radical faith. When we come to believe in Christ, we start with radical thinking. Belief in a Savior born of a virgin and crucified for our sins isn't the kind of thing that fits neatly into a box. It challenges us, stretches us, and sometimes even makes us feel like outsiders.
The Radical Journey of Transformation
But radical thinking isn't just where it starts—it's where it leads. As we embrace the gospel, we experience radical transformation. We take on the righteousness of Christ, which doesn't just change our behavior; it changes our very identity. We are no longer defined by our failures or mistakes of the past—we are defined by what Christ has done for us.
But the radical journey doesn't stop there. When we truly experience this transformation, we must explain it. Like Mary, we have a story to share. We have a testimony to give—one that may sound outlandish to the world but has the power to transform lives. Explaining the gospel isn't always easy; it requires vulnerability, courage, and sometimes a little discomfort. But it's a part of the radical faith we are called to live out.
Radical Trust and Radical Celebration
The journey of faith also requires radical trust. There will be times when life seems difficult, the road ahead seems uncertain, and we're tempted to give up. But faith calls us to "not faint" in the face of adversity. Just as Mary had to trust God with her life and her future, we, too, must trust that He is with us every step of the way.
And in the end, just as Mary was able to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our faith sets us up for a radical celebration of our own. The life Jesus offers isn't just a future hope—it's a present reality. Jesus Himself said,
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, paraphrased).
A Radical Christmas
Mary was a radical virgin, set apart for a divine purpose. And like her, we too are called to be set apart—to live radically for Christ, to trust Him radically, and to share the radical news of His coming with the world.
Let's get real about what matters this Christmas:
Make room in our hearts for the miraculous, live on the cutting edge of what God has called us to, and share the miracle of Christ with others.
Because, after all, the message of Christmas is nothing short of radical.