Matthew 18-25
The reading from Matthew's Gospel emphasises that Mary was indeed the virgin Mary, until after Jesus' birth. There is no theological need for this. The original prophecy in Isaiah which talks about a virgin being with child could be translated, 'a young woman will be with child...' However, the Greek version which Matthew quotes from had the word 'virgin' and Matthew saw that the circumstances of Jesus' conception proved that to be the correct translation. But theologically there is no need for the Son of God to be born of a virgin; normal conception is not sinful or polluting in itself. That is why I believe the story to be true - there was no need to make it up, and it would have been so much easier for the church if Mary had been married!
The other readings over the Christmas season are equally surprising. The reading from John reminds us who this baby really was - and how few people accept it. The Luke reading tells of his birth in a manger - another story too counter-intuitive to be made up.
Questions:
Why is God so surprising?
If these stories are true, what do they reveal about God?