Heidelberg Catechism Week 14

35. Q. What does it mean that He "was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary"? A.That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to Himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that He might become David's true descendant, like His brothers in every way except for sin.

36. Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you? A. He is our mediator, and with His innocence and perfect holiness He removes from God's sight my sin - mine since I was conceived.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

A nugget from DeYoung's commentary on these questions:

If Jesus had not been born of a human, we could not believe in His full humanity. But if He birth were like any other human birth - through the union of a human father and mother - we would question His full divinity. The virgin birth is necessary to secure both a real human nature and a completely divine nature... The virgin birth is essential because it means Jesus did not inherit the curse of depravity that clings to Adam's race. Jesus was made like us in every way except for sin (Heb. 4:15; 7:26-27).

Contrary to what Roman Catholicism teaches, Mary was a sinner just like every other person in the world. She needed a Saviour just as much as I do, and she rejoiced in "God [her] Saviour" (Luke 1:47).