Conceived by the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary

Early in his life, the little boy learned to use his ethnicity to his advantage. His father’s family arrived in America from Ireland and his mother was of German heritage. Thus when the familes gathered together to celebrate their common heritage as Christians and Americans, the youngster would diplomatically answer any question about his ancestry with, “I am half Irish and half German, and all American,” thus winning affectionate nods from both sides of the family.  However, he would demonstrate his diplomatic and political skills by saying he was Irish when in the presence of his Irish family and similarly announce he was German when with his German relatives.  This flexible approach often brought rewards in the form of a small amount of cash or other gift. (It was perfect training for a potential career in politics.) However, this youngster could be moody and would occasionally protest a visit to his relatives by being uncooperative and annoying. On one occasion his Irish uncle offered him a baseball, something the youngster highly valued, if he would be cooperative and end his annoying complaints. The youngster would not relent his disturbing attitude and did not receive the baseball when he and his mother left his relatives to go home. His ego and self –centered attitude won the day, but he lost the valued reward forever.

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit (God) and was born of the Virgin Mary. Very different from the youngster described above who possessed one human nature though sharing two nationalities, Jesus possessed two separate natures – one divine, one human. He was both God and human. His reason for humbling himself by assuming a human nature was to redeem man from his sins and to provide insight into his expectations of man.  God so loved man that he allowed himself to take upon himself horrendous suffering and a brutal crucifixion. Jesus in his human nature offered himself as the sacrifice to God’s justice for our sins and in his divinity he showered man with his mercy. Thus through his two natures, God’s satisfied his demands for justice and mercy. The gates of heaven were opened for mankind. Thank you Jesus!

However, despite Jesus’ love and sacrifices for man, man often acts in a similar manner to the moody youngster with bursts of ego and self-centered behavior.  Many among mankind will reject God, while others excuse the evil behavior in their life styles, thus failing to make use of God’s wonderful Gift of the divine life. Life on this earth is very short; it is a waste of this life to ignore God and forego the everlasting life with God.  Jesus offered mankind an inestimable gift – it is priceless – the divine life with Him. Why does mankind reject it to satisfy his ego or to realize some very temporary pleasures in this life?