Matthew 1:18-25
In the Christmas narrative, God spoke to people five different times through dreams.
It may have something to do with the necessity to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality.
Joseph
There is grace in his righteousness, just as there is with God.
Two announcements
a. Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife
b. The baby has been conceived by a supernatural, one and only way.
Announcements while awake
a. Zechariah- he did resist the message
b. Mary – she would have no reason to question or doubt the message
c. shepherds – if they resisted, it wouldn't have changed anything
The virgin birth is not a negotiable doctrine.
If Jesus wasn't virgin born, then He wasn't both God and man.
The virgin birth is essential for Jesus to be called the two names Joseph was told about in his dream, Jesus,
which means Savior, and Emmanuel, which means, God with us.