The Gospel of Matthew begins with a royal genealogy that traces Jesus’ lineage to Abraham. Only four women are mentioned in this genealogy–Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. All four bore sons through unions that were in varying degrees strange and unexpected. These “irregularities” culminate in the supreme “irregularity” of the Messiah’s birth of a virgin mother.

The age of fulfillment is inaugurated by a creative act of God.
-Footnotes, The New American Bible, Revised Edition-

Nothing is impossible with God.
-Luke 1:36-