Jesus Christ born of a virgin.

Isaiah was a prophet who wrote about 750 years before Jesus arrival.

Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 – ‘Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.’

Matthews gospel written about 800 years later tells us that this prophecy came true.

Matthew chapter1 verse 18 to chapter 2 verse 1 – ‘This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he considered this an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, ‘God with us.’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of king Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

On first reading there appears to be a discrepancy,  Isaiah said the child would be called Immanuel.  In the book of Matthew, Joseph is told by the angel to name him Jesus. There is a difference.  However, a person can be called or known by a number of names as Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 says, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father & Prince of Peace.”  Although these are not the names given to him by his earthly parents they are still attributed to him. The angel told Joseph to name him Jesus but Jesus was also called by many other names in the Bible.  Immanuel means ‘God with us‘ a title or description of him rather than a birth name.  It’s not unusual even today for someone to be known by more than one name.  Many bikers have a road name different to their birth name.  My parents named me Peter but friends and family often call me by several different names which I seem to have accrued over the years.