A virgin birth?  That a woman who had never had sexual relations with a man conceived a son in her womb is one of the most controversial aspects of the birth narratives in the New Testament.  How could this, medically, be?
     Over the ensuing centuries, commentators have offered various explanations for this phenomenon.  Some have referred to rare stories about women--and men--giving birth when everything about their anatomy and interpersonal relationships indicated that they could not do so.  Others have argued that it is a metaphor to make a larger point about the meaning of Jesus' birth.  Still others have termed it misguided mythology.
     Everyone is of course free to draw her own conclusions.  If we are to take the text for what it says, however, we can only draw one:  Mary really did conceive Jesus without having sexual relations with another human being.  Why would we do this?  If we believe that the remainder of the Bible is trustworthy, which much archaeological and textual study indicates it is, then we have no reason to reject this particular part of it.  On the other hand, if we do not believe the remainder of the Bible is historically trustworthy, we will likely not believe this story at all.
     We must view this story in its wider context.  It is one of many stories (or episodes: saying that it is a story does not imply it is not true) in a document which has been vetted repeatedly by a great deal of analysis and scrutiny by scholars across the planet as being reliable and true.  In addition, however, and this is a large "addition," we must agree that there is a bigger reality in which ours is comprised.  We must agree that over and above it all is a God who speaks into this present moment.  We affirm the presence of the supernatural.
     And if we do this, we conclude that this God is fully able to do what, medically, does not seem possible:  to conceive a child in a virgin's womb.  It's a matter of faith, yes, but it is a matter of a faith firmly rooted and grounded in history.
     And that makes all the difference.