Matthew 1:18-25 The Scandalous Setting — Matthew 1:18-19 The Glorious Announcement — Matthew 1:20 "If the virgin birth is denyed then the nature of Christ is changed...without the virgin birth, the whole meaning of the gospel is in peril." - J. Gresham Machen “The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. How are we to think about the incarnation? The New Testament does not encourage us to puzzle our heads over the physical and psychological problems that it raises, but to worship God, for the love that was shown in it...for it was the greatest act of condescension and self-humiliating.” -J.I. Packer The Child's Purpose — Matthew 1:21-25 The purpose of the incarnation is so that he might live for you. The purpose of the incarnation is so that he might die for you.