“The Author of Life”

Matthew 1:18-25, {18} This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. {19} Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. {20} But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. {21} She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” {22} All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: {23} “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). {24} When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. {25} But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.