And this was the manner of Christ’s birth. His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, but they had not
yet come together, when she was found to be with child, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon
her husband Joseph (for he was a right-minded man and would not have her put to open shame) was
for sending her away in secret. But hardly had this thought come to his mind, when an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, and said,
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary to yourself, for it is by the power of
the Holy Ghost that she has conceived this child; and she will bear a son, whom you shall call
Jesus, for he is to save his people from their sins.
All this was so ordained to fulfil the word which the Lord spoke by his prophet: Behold, the virgin shall
be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel (which means, God with us). And
Joseph awoke from sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, taking his wife to himself;
(Matthew 1; 18-25)