THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 22

Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ, the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

ANALYSIS.

Here we are taught four things :

1. That Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself both a true body, and a reasonable soul. –Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Matt. xxvi. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.
2. That Christ, as man, was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost. –Luke i. 35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.
3. That he was born of the virgin Mary. –Isa. vii. 14. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Luke ii. 7. And she (the virgin Mary) brought forth her first-born son.
4. That he was without sin. –Heb. vii. 26. Such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.