But while he was thinking about the matter, [suddenly] an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream [i.e., a supernatural revelation given during sleep], saying, "Joseph, you descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife, for the baby she is carrying is by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.

Now Jesus was born in Bethlehem [a small town] in Judea during the time when Herod [the Great] was king [of Judea]. About that time some astrologer/sages from the east [i.e., Persia] came to Jerusalem, saying,

There will be great trouble [during these times], such as had never been from the beginning of time up to the present, or ever will be [in the days to come].

As it was during the days of Noah, so it will be when the presence of the Son of man [arrives].

But they reasoned, "We will not do it during the Festival because it might start a riot among the people."