Jesus is born
18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. His mother's name was Mary. She had promised to marry a man called Joseph. Then she discovered that she was pregnant. This happened before they started to live together. It was the Holy Spirit that caused this to happen to her. 19 Joseph was a good man. He wanted to do what was right. He did not want Mary to become ashamed in front of people. So he decided to stop their marriage secretly.
1:19Joseph thought that Mary was pregnant because she had had sex with another man. Joseph could have told people that Mary had done something wrong. This would stop the marriage. But Joseph wanted to be kind to Mary. Then the angel told him that Mary had not done anything wrong, so he should marry her.
20 He thought about what he should do. Then an angel came from the Lord God to see him. The angel came to Joseph while he was dreaming. The angel said, ‘Joseph, you who are from the family of King David, take Mary home as your wife. Do not be afraid to do that. The baby that is growing inside her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 Mary will give birth to a son. He will save his people from their sins. Because of that, you must give him the name “Jesus”.’
1:21The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘The LORD saves’.
22 The Lord God had given a message about this to one of his prophets long ago. Now that message would become true. 23 The prophet had said, ‘A young woman who has never had sex will have a baby boy. People will call her son Immanuel.’ This name means ‘God is with us’.
24 Then Joseph woke up from his sleep. He did what God's angel had said to him. He married Mary and he took her to his home. 25 Joseph did not have sex with Mary until after the baby boy was born. He said that the boy's name should be Jesus.
