This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, but before they had intercourse, she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a just man but not willing to make her an example, resolved to dismiss her secretly. 

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While he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph ben David, don’t fear to keep Mary as your wife, for the being conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” 

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“Now all this was done to fulfill what the Lord said through the prophet, who said, ‘Behold, a virgin shall be pregnant and shall deliver a son. And they will call his name Emmanuel, which means, ‘God with us.’” 

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Then Joseph awoke from sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had directed him, taking to himself his wife. But he did not sexually consummate the marriage until she had delivered her firstborn son. And he also called his name Jesus.

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Commentary

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