Why is the virgin birth of Jesus important for Christians?

The virgin birth of Jesus holds significant theological implications for Christians, affirming both His divine nature and sinlessness. This is eloquently prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, which states, 'Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' This prophecy underscores God's intervention and the miraculous nature of Christ's birth, setting Him apart as the only sinless human being. As the angel Gabriel declared to Mary, the conception was a divine act facilitated by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that Jesus’ human nature was untouched by the sin inherited from mankind. Thus, the virgin birth is not merely an event; it is foundational to the understanding of who Christ is—a holy God-man—necessary for the work of atonement.