Q. What does it mean that he
“was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary”?

A.That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains
true and eternal God,1
took to himself,
through the working of the Holy Spirit,2
from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,3
a true human nature
so that he might also become David’s true descendant,4
like his brothers in all things5
except for sin.6

1 John 1:1; 10:30–36; Acts 13:33 (Ps. 2:7); Col. 1:15–17; 1 John 5:20
2 Luke 1:35
3 Matt. 1:18–23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14
4 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Ps. 132:11; Matt. 1:1; Rom. 1:3
5 Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:17
6 Heb. 4:15; 7:26–27

Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you?

A.He is our mediator1
and, in God’s sight,
he covers with his innocence and perfect holiness
my sin, in which I was conceived.2

1 1 Tim. 2:5–6; Heb. 9:13–15
2 Rom. 8:3–4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 4:4–5; 1 Pet. 1:18–19