Answer: It is wondrous that the Virgin is preserved and freed from evil suspicion. If the Jews had known about this mystery at first, they would have stoned the Virgin and condemned her as a harlot. If even in such cases, examples of which they often encountered in the Old Testament, they showed their anxiety; and when Christ cast out demons, they called him possessed; when He healed the sick on the Sabbath, they considered Him an opponent of God, although the Sabbath had often been broken before, what would they not say when they heard that the Virgin gives birth? They would also be favored by all the preceding time, which is nothing like that of the Virgin who gave birth. If, even after so many signs, they still called Him the son of Joseph, how could they have believed that He was born of a Virgin before these signs? That is why Joseph's genealogy is presented, and he is betrothed to the Virgin. If even Joseph, this righteous and wonderful man, had a thought of doubt about the Virgin, and it took much to convince him of the event, if for him also the appearance of an angel, a vision during sleep, and prophetic testimony were necessary, then how could the Jews, who were wicked and corrupt, accept this mystery? For this reason the Apostles did not often speak of His birth, but repeatedly proclaimed His resurrection. Even His Mother herself did not dare to announce this. See what She says to Him: "Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee with great sorrow" (Luke 2:48). For if the latter had been suspected, He would not have been revered as the son of David, and many other evils would have resulted from the non-recognition of Him as the son of David. For this reason the angels did not tell everyone about this birth, but announced to Mary and Joseph alone, but when they preached the gospel to the shepherds about the Infant who had been born, they did not add that He was born of a Virgin.

Thus, when Joseph was convinced that "that which is born in Her is of the Holy Spirit," then, having removed all suspicion, he not only does not send Her away from him and does not dishonor Her, but accepts and renders Her services during pregnancy and reverently honors Her. It is evident that if I had not been firmly convinced of the conception by the action of the Holy Spirit, I would not have kept Her with me and served Her. Moreover, the Evangelist said very emphatically: "He is with child" – as is usually said about special events, which happen beyond all expectation and are unexpected. Do not, therefore, stretch out further, demand nothing more than what is said, and do not ask: How did the Spirit form the Child in the Virgin? For if it is impossible to explain the manner of this formation by natural action, then how can we, the inhabitants of the earth, explain it, when the Spirit worked miracles, and when this mystery is unknown to the Angels themselves? And so that you would not trouble the evangelist and trouble him with frequent questions about this, he freed himself from everything, naming him who performed the miracle. Nothing, he says, I know nothing more, but only that "that which is born in Her" is born of the Spirit. Be ashamed of you, who desire to comprehend the supernatural birth! For if no one can explain that birth, of which there are thousands of witnesses, which has been foretold for so many centuries, which has been visible and tangible, then those are utterly insane who curiously investigate and carefully try to comprehend that supreme, ineffable birth. Neither Gabriel nor Matthew could say anything more than that "he who is born is of the Spirit," but how and in what manner it was born of the Spirit, neither one nor the other explained, because it was impossible. Nor do you think that you have learned everything when you hear that Christ was born of the Spirit. With this information, we still do not know much, for example: how is the Incomprehensible contained in the womb? how is all that He who contains all things born of a woman? how does the Virgin give birth to and remain a Virgin? how is He called to have come from the root of Jesse? How is it called a rod? The Son of Man? Color? how to call Mary his mother? how can we say that Christ came from the seed of David? Did he take the form of a slave? how "And the Word was made flesh" (John 1:14)? as Paul says to the Romans: "And of them is Christ according to the flesh, who is God over all" (Romans 9:5)? From these words and from many others it is evident that Christ came from us, from our composition, from the virgin's womb, but in what way it is not clear. Therefore, do not seek either, but believe what is revealed, and do not try to comprehend what is silent.

But Joseph, her husband, being righteous and not wishing to make her public, wanted to secretly let her go.

Having said that that which is born in the Virgin is of the Holy Spirit and is conceived without carnal copulation, he adduces a new proof for this, so that no one may ask: "How is this known?" who has seen and who has heard that a Virgin ever gave birth? Therefore, in order that no one should suspect that the Evangelist, wishing to exalt the Teacher, writes this, he cites as a witness the words of Joseph, who, by the very thing that happened to him, confirms in him faith in what was said. Pointing to this witness, the Evangelist seemed to be saying: "If you do not believe me and suspect my testimony, then believe this righteous man."

But Joseph, her husband, being righteous and not wishing to make her public, wanted to secretly let her go.

Here he calls righteous the one who has all the virtues. Joseph, being righteous, that is, kind, meek, true, "wanted to secretly let her go." For this reason the Evangelist describes what happened before Joseph knew about it, so that you would not doubt what happened after he found out. Although the suspect not only deserved to be rebuked, but the law even commanded Her to be punished, nevertheless, Joseph delivered Her not only from the greater, but also from the lesser, that is, from shame, not only did not want to punish, but did not want to rebuke Her either. Do you not recognize in this a wise man and free from tormenting passion? You know what jealousy is. That is why the prophet, who knew it fully, said: "For jealousy is the wrath of a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance" (Proverbs 6:34). And: "Jealousy is as fierce as hell" (Song of Songs 8:6). We know that many are better prepared to lose their lives than to fall into suspicion of jealousy. And here there was a suspicion when the Virgin was exposed by clear signs of pregnancy, but Joseph was so righteous and alien to passion that he did not want to cause the Virgin even the slightest grief. Since it seemed contrary to the law to keep Her with Him, and to discover the case and bring Her to trial was to deliver Her up to death, he did neither, but "wanted to secretly let Her go." He acted above the law, revealing his virtue, for at the coming of grace many signs of high wisdom and life were to appear. As the sun, not yet showing its rays, illuminates the greater part of the universe from afar, so Christ, having to shine from the womb of the Virgin, before He was born, had already enlightened the whole universe. Therefore, even before His birth, prophets and women foretold the future. And John, before he came out of the womb, leaped in his womb. For this reason Joseph also showed great wisdom here, for he did not accuse or reproach the Virgin, but only intended to let Her go. When things were in such a state and he was in difficulty regarding his duties, an angel appeared and resolved all perplexities. Here it is worthy of investigation why the angel did not come before Joseph did not yet have such thoughts, but appeared when he had already thought.

But when he thought this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said.

Why did not the Virgin, who had previously heard the gospel from the Angel, reveal it to him, and, seeing the betrothed in confusion, did not resolve his perplexity? Why did not the angel speak to Joseph before he was troubled? Why did you not speak, you say? So that Joseph would not reveal his unbelief and the same thing would not happen to him as to Zachariah. It is not difficult to believe a deed when it is already before your eyes. For the same reason the Virgin was silent, for she thought that she would not convince the bridegroom by telling him about the extraordinary deed, but on the contrary, she would grieve him more, giving the idea that she was covering up the crime committed. If She Herself, when She was to receive a little grace, judges in a human way and says: "How shall this be, since I know no man" (Luke 1:34), then Joseph would have doubted much more, especially when he would have heard about it from the suspected wife. Therefore, the Virgin did not announce to him, and when circumstances demanded, an angel appeared. "But while he was thinking this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream." Do you notice your husband's modesty? Not only did he not punish, but he did not tell anyone, not even the suspect herself, but only thought with himself! And it is not said that he wanted to cast her out, but to let her go, so meek, merciful, and kind-hearted was he!

Question: But why did the Angel come to Joseph not in reality, as He appeared to the shepherds, Zechariah, and the Virgin?

Answer: Because Joseph had a lot of faith and did not need such a manifestation. For the Virgin, an extraordinary appearance was needed before the event, because what was preached was very important – more important than what was announced to Zechariah; and the pastors were simple people and therefore had need of a more obvious manifestation. But Joseph, as a prudent man, was ready for faith, and if only someone had appeared and instructed him, he would have easily accepted the revelation, and therefore the angel appeared to him in a dream.

Joseph, son of David! do not be afraid to receive Mary your wife.