Then came the good news, as shocking as the bad. I had determined to divorce Mary privately. Even though this would not defend my honor publicly or express the deep sense of hurt and betrayal I felt, it was the kindest thing for her. It was the night before I would go to her home and pronounce our divorcement. And then, in my dreams, an angel of the Lord appeared to me.

I know you're familiar with my story, but try to hear it as though you were me. Have you ever heard an angel of the Lord speak directly to you? You'll never forget it if you do. The awe, holiness, and glory of it is overwhelming and unmistakable. This alone was a miracle. But his announcement was even more stunning.

He told me that Mary's child had been "conceived by the Holy Spirit." Who had ever heard of such a thing? Our people had no knowledge of something like this. Not once in all our Scriptures or history had God ever done anything like it. I know that the Virgin Birth is basic theology to you, but it was a shocking idea to me that night. How would you feel if your fiancee or daughter told you that she had become pregnant "by the Holy Spirit"? Would you believe her?

What could I do?

I could believe the angel and complete the marriage, raise this child that was not mine, and perhaps live the rest of my life in confusion and doubt about it all.

Or I could refuse. Who would believe me anyway? People could count to nine months--they would know that Mary was with child before we were legally and morally allowed to be husband and wife. They would assume that I had been an immoral lawbreaker. They would shun me or worse. It was far easier to refuse this strange dream. If this really was of God, he could find someone else to fulfill his confusing will.

It was a terrible place to be, and I was there through no fault of my own. I had done nothing to deserve this turmoil, this decision. Why me?

I decided: I would obey the angel. I would stake my life, my marriage, and my future on this word from God. I would be an obedient man. I married my fiancee and kept her pure sexually until her child was born, even though the angel did not require this of me. I named the boy Yeshua, or Jesus, adopting him as my own. Thus I made him legally a "son of David" as I was.

And because of my obedience, my life and your history would never be the same.