The Moment of Conception

"What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." ~ Matthew 1:20

Is anything as miraculous as the moment of conception? A sperm penetrates an egg and all the genetic data that will determine who that person becomes is encoded within that single cell. A-mazing! The mother's body starts producing hormones before she even knows she is pregnant. The heart starts beating around day 22. In four weeks time, that single cell has grown 10,000 times larger. Around day 42, the first neuron is formed and 120 days later, a baby will have a hundred billion neurons. That is nearly 10,000 synapses per second. But it all begins with that moment of conception.

The Christmas conception was unique. Mary was a virgin. So what was conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. And all orthodox Christians believe in the miracle of the virgin birth. But I would suggest that it's more than a tenet of theology. It also sets an example. Anything of eternal value in our lives is conceived by the Holy Spirit. And God still works the same way today. When He wants to do something He conceives something inside of us by the Holy Spirit--a passion, a calling, a gifting, a prompting. And when we do what the Holy Spirit conceives we are advancing His kingdom on earth. And just as Christ came into the world at Bethlehem, Jesus incarnates himself through His children when the Holy Spirit is at work through us.

So on Christmas morning, here is my Christmas question: what does God want to conceive within you?