The virgin birth is a foundational part of Christianity for many people; but it’s not always clear why.

Many have said that Jesus had to born of a virgin in order to be free from original sin – which is often believed to be transmitted through family lineage. But how would taking an earthly father out of the picture keep a birth free of such contamination?

We now know that a child’s DNA comes just as much from the mother as from the father; and we may assume that sin, if it’s inherited genetically, does the same.

Largely in reaction to this, the Roman Catholic Church has declared that Mary was also born sinless, thus being a perfect vessel for Jesus’ birth. But if Mary was born without sin, then the same would have to be true of her mother, and her mother’s mother, all the way back to Eve; and I’ve never heard anyone take the argument this far.

There is another meaning of the virgin birth, however – and this is that Jesus was born of an impoverished, single mother – carrying all the shame that went along with that in His culture.

Even if the conception of Jesus was done completely by divine intervention (without a human father), the fact that He was conceived outside of wedlock would have placed a huge stigma on both Mary and Jesus. Joseph seems to have known this, as shown by his intention to quietly break off his engagement with Mary (Matt 1:19).

This truth is not lost on unwed mothers, even in our (relatively more tolerant) culture. Against all who would denigrate single mothers (and their children) stand Jesus and Mary – whom God has forever sealed with the Holy Spirit. They challenge us to look on such people, not with judgment or scorn, but with compassion.

There can be no slut-shaming, or disparagement of single mothers, for the true Christian. If a woman has had children out of wedlock, she should be accepted on the same terms as anyone else. We should not assume that she’s been promiscuous – and we should not be judgmental even if she has.

We are neither to encourage promiscuity nor reject single mothers, but simply show love to everyone in whatever circumstances they are in.

This isn’t easy, especially for those raised with “conservative” moral values, but it must be done. The reason is simple – God has loved us unconditionally, and we are called to do the same.

The sooner Christians stop separating the world into “us” and “them,” or “saints” and “sinners,” or “saved” and “unsaved,” the sooner we will see the kingdom of heaven come to earth. For we are all one, both in our sin and in our redemption.

Finally, if the Virgin Mary is truly the mother of Jesus, then she is worthy of all the praise the Catholic church has given her – and more!

For if salvation comes through Jesus, none of us could be saved without Mary, by whom He entered this world. She is truly the Theotokos (God-bearer), and is worthy of all the honor that comes with that title.

(Coming Next: The Apostles’ Creed, Part Four: “He Suffered Under Pontius Pilate”)