Is the Virgin Conception An Essential Claim of Christianity?

In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast, J. Warner examines the Virgin Conception and discusses its role in the Christmas narrative and its place in the Christian worldview. Why is the virgin conception of Jesus important? Is it an essential claim of Christianity? Could Jesus be the Savior of the world if he wasn't conceived miraculously? How should we, as Christians making the case for truth, approach the subject with our skeptical friends and family members?