Many people have said they would believe in Jesus if only they were given a "sign." Jesus said, "These are evil times, and this evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah" (Luke 11:29). Throughout Christ's life on earth--in fact, from the very moment of His conception--every sign indicated that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

The famous talk show host Larry King was once asked whom he would choose if he could interview anyone from history. He chose Jesus and said, "I'd ask him if he was indeed virgin born; the answer to that question would define history for me." If Larry King would read the Bible rather than talking to so-called experts, he might have the answers to his questions.

Christ's virgin birth was a sign predicted by the prophets. Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah was looking forward and said, "The Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel--'God is with us.'" (Isaiah 7:14). God predicted that His Son would be conceived by a virgin. Why was this so important? Because a child born of God's blood would be untainted by sin.

Dr. Martin R. DeHaan points out that God provided the solution to the problem of inheriting the bloodline of the human father: "How wonderfully God prepared for the virgin birth of His Son. When He created woman He made her so that no blood would be able to pass from her to her offspring...Conception by the Holy Spirit was the only way the virgin birth could be accomplished. The Holy Spirit contributed the blood of Jesus Christ. It is sinless blood. It is divine blood…precious blood, for there has ne'er been any other like it." The virgin birth predicted by the prophets would lead to the perfect way to solve the problem of sin.

The name given to Jesus is another sign or symbol for those looking for help in their time of need--Immanuel. There is no record that Jesus was called Immanuel. Rather, this was a title or description of who Jesus was and what He did for His people. It revealed that Jesus was God in human form:

When Jesus healed the sick, He showed the compassion of God.
When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He expressed His deep sorrow over sin.
When Jesus taught the multitudes, it proved He is the way, the truth, and the life.
When Jesus died on the cross, it showed the depth of His love.
When He rose from the dead, it showed His power over sin and death.
Have you been looking for a sign to show you which way to go? A star in the east? A miraculous healing? A financial miracle? When Jesus came to earth, He brought the sign of the virgin birth. Throughout His life He performed signs and wonders that should cause anyone to believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. At His death, the mountains quaked and the dead arose. Sadly, "despite all the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not believe in him" (John 12:37). You may not experience a wondrous sign. The greatest sign might be the desperate longing you feel deep in your heart for His tender mercies. Won't you give your heart to Jesus Christ this Christmas? After all, He gave His life for you.

P.S. May your Christmas be filled with the joy of the Lord and the peace that surpasses all understanding!