0:01:03 > 0:01:04Bethlehem.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09It's beautiful.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12We'll make camp for tonight,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14carry on tomorrow.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Joseph, please don't hate me.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Mary!
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Come, your father won't be long!
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Mother!
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Thank you.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43How old is your younger daughter, Joachim?
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Mary? She's just turned 16.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48A good girl, well thought of?
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Yes, she is.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52And now a woman.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- Yes, rabbi.- But not yet married?
0:02:56 > 0:02:57No.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Time we found her a husband.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Jedeiah the stonemason has been without a wife for a year.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06He has four children.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Jedeiah is a good man...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Perhaps a little old?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16He's not yet 60.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18No...
0:03:18 > 0:03:20But it is well known
0:03:20 > 0:03:25that he has spent little of that time in the synagogue.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28My Mary is such a devout girl.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37Well?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39They suggested Jedeiah.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41The stonemason?!
0:03:41 > 0:03:43He smells!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46And his children are little brats,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47and he's older than us...
0:03:47 > 0:03:50both of us put together!
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Don't worry, I talked them out of it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56So who did we get?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- You're a carpenter, Joseph?- Yes.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10A good one?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Uh, no thank you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Your parents are well? - Yes, thank you.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- Give them our best. - Do you have your own house? - Uh, I'm building one now.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Although I can only do it in the evenings when I've finished work.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- So, it'll be a little while yet. - How long?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28A year.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- Oh...- Or maybe less.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Good.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Mary, why don't you show Joseph around the farm?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Your mother and I will follow.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51He seems nice.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Wasn't there anyone...brighter?
0:04:55 > 0:04:59He works hard, will have his own house.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I had hoped for better.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Still...at least he has teeth.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I've seen you a lot...
0:05:12 > 0:05:14in the synagogue.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Oh, I go every day.- Every day?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Mm-mm. Yes, I love it there. It's...
0:05:19 > 0:05:21It's so peaceful.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Best of all is when there's no-one else there,
0:05:23 > 0:05:29and you fight your way through the market and the soldiers and the noise, and...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31inside, it's so still and so cool.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35You feel safe, as though...
0:05:35 > 0:05:37God is cradling you in his arms.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I hadn't thought of it like that before.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47If you're like the other men, you'll be too busy complaining about the money you pay to the tax collectors.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- I'm not like them.- No?- No.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51No, I love paying my taxes,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54to Herod, to Caesar.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55I only wish there were more taxes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat thinking I haven't paid enough taxes!
0:05:59 > 0:06:01You're funny.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Is that good?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07It's not bad.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Do you think your parents like me?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13I think they were worried I'd have to marry Jedeiah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Oh, so they prefer me to a toothless old man?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Yes.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's a start. I can build on that.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Of course, it will look totally different once I've finished.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38And you've started?
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Yeah.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Look...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46This will be the living area,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48a small kitchen here.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Uh...
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Sleeping area...
0:06:53 > 0:06:58Maybe a guest room on another level if you ever wanted to come and stay.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03And here, I thought I could have a small worksh...
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Workshop...
0:07:05 > 0:07:06here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Looks like they're starting to think
0:07:18 > 0:07:21maybe Jedeiah wasn't such a bad idea after all,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23teeth or no teeth.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27My sister Salome married Zebediah of Capernaum.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29He has his own fishing business.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Mm-hm.- I think my mother was secretly hoping I'd marry a rich man too.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38But I believe that what's in the heart is more important than what's in the pocket.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39And I hate the smell of fish.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44It will be a good house.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I'm sure it will.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48And I will be a good husband.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49And I the best wife I can be.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59We'll arrange the betrothal ceremony for next month,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01with the wedding a year from then...
0:08:01 > 0:08:03when the house is finished.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Receive this piece of silver
0:08:47 > 0:08:54as a pledge that you shall be my spouse...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56a year from today
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and for the portion of your virginity,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01according to the law of Moses.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12And now it's time for a daughter to dance with her father.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15CHEERING, ULULATING
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Mary!
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Come over here.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- I should be by your side.- Elizabeth!
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'm so happy for you.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Joseph, this is my cousin, Elizabeth.- Hello.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- You'd better take good care of her. - I intend to.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Is Zacharias here?
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Oh, he's busy putting the world to rights, as usual.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58So what are your plans after the wedding?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00To have lots of children.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Well, I hope you'll both be very happy.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Did I say something wrong?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Elizabeth always wanted children, but she's barren.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14- Sorry...- No.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17It wasn't your fault, you didn't know.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- Come on.- Oh! Simon!
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Simon! How lovely you're here!
0:10:23 > 0:10:26How are you? Come on, let's dance.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I'm sorry.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Come on, Mary, come with me.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00You have a lot of relatives.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- Yes, I do.- I've been prodded and poked by most of them by now.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06You've danced with the rest.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08They're happy for me.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10What about you? Are you happy?
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Yes.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Well, then, I'm happy that you're happy, and I'm happy too.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20And I'm not just happy that you're happy. I'd be happy anyway, whether you were happy or not.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- That didn't come out right, did it? - No!
0:11:23 > 0:11:25But you knew what I meant?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- You're happy.- Yes, I am.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32And I think your mother's warming to me.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Oh?- She cried when I thanked her for your hand.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- What? No, really, I definitely think they were tears of joy.- No...
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- May I ask you something?- Of course.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Why haven't you married before?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I was saving myself.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54For what?
0:11:54 > 0:11:55You.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00I mean, I didn't know it was you, or even what you would look like,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03but I knew there was someone like you out there somewhere.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Someone like me?- Gentle, pure...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Not scarred by the world.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13And even though the elders chose you for me,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16everything I say or do until the day I die will have one purpose...
0:12:16 > 0:12:19to one day make you love me.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23I'll try to be a good wife.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I doubt you could be anything else.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I shall be faithful to you always. I swear it.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Then I shall be the proudest man alive.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39If you're so moved by my purity,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43then you won't mind me staying that way until we're married.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Me and my big mouth.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47We have our whole lives.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49There's no need to rush.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53I think this chastity before marriage
0:12:53 > 0:12:57was thought up by elders who must've had very old and very ugly wives.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It was easy for them.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Should've thought about the people coming behind them.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Isn't the sky beautiful?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Makes me feel so small.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24My father thinks that all our futures are written in the stars.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I believe it.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Now where are we?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Look, there!- Where?- Just there!
0:13:31 > 0:13:34And our whole future, mapped out.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36What does it say?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41That we'll be married for 50 years and have ten children.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- Ten!- Maybe more!
0:13:44 > 0:13:46You'll need to build a bigger house.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Do you think God can see us?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I think that's the general idea.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59But does he see the whole world as one,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02or does he see every single one of us?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Well, maybe it's like the stars...
0:14:07 > 0:14:11you can see them all, but if you concentrate...
0:14:11 > 0:14:13You can just pick one out.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05What is it?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Come and see!
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Regulus, Saturn and Jupiter are forming a conjunction.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15A trinity. Jupiter has ringed Regulus three times already,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and it now moves towards Saturn.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Look!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25What are you saying, Gaspar?
0:15:25 > 0:15:27They will be as one star.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- But that's not possible.- I know!
0:15:31 > 0:15:33But it's happening anyway!
0:15:33 > 0:15:37This is what we've been waiting for.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43For centuries, the magi have studied the stars.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46They call us wise men, yet is that all we are?
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Gatherers of knowledge?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Men, men who see everything,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54yet can't see the nose on their own faces?
0:15:54 > 0:15:59For more than a thousand years, we've waited for this!
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Generations of magi, all waiting for this very moment.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Yet it comes to us,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10to this generation,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13and we betray all who've come before us
0:16:13 > 0:16:16by arguing amongst ourselves like children!
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Are you really saying it will be the star prophesied by Balaam?
0:16:21 > 0:16:23See for yourself! Show him the chart.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Less than a year away.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32If it even exists.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34What does Melchior say?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Show him the chart.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46Regulus, Jupiter, Saturn, a conjunction, Jerusalem.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54I never dreamed it would be in my lifetime.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Haven't we always believed this moment would come?
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Why then are we afraid?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Shhh! The prophecy is clear -
0:17:07 > 0:17:10a star will come out of Jacob
0:17:10 > 0:17:12and a sceptre will rise...
0:17:13 > 0:17:15out of Israel.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Regulus is the royal star.
0:17:19 > 0:17:26Jupiter is the planet of kings, and Saturn is the shield of Israel.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28When they meet,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32their light will blind the world.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40I will retire to study the charts in detail.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Balthasar, you may join me to help clarify your findings. Gaspar, too.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50You're certain your calculations are correct?
0:17:50 > 0:17:54I've checked it a dozen times. More.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Do you really believe it could be Balaam's star?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59What I believe is not important.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02The prophecy is far more than just a star forming
0:18:02 > 0:18:04to herald a new king in Israel.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Balaam also believed
0:18:06 > 0:18:08that one day there would be a bridge
0:18:08 > 0:18:11between Heaven and Earth -
0:18:11 > 0:18:13that it would herald
0:18:13 > 0:18:16not just a king,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18but a king blessed by God himself.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28There you are!
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Eh, this is how it works.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39If we're going to look after each other,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41we got to stick together.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45So no more... No more hiding in rocks, OK?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41How do you feel?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Better.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Did you find it?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48In the rocks at the bottom of the hill.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Poor thing.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52It must've been terrified.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56I think it's learnt its lesson.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Do you need anything?- No.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Do we have enough for the taxes?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Everything's fine.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Just rest.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Come on, get in line.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Get your taxes ready.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Next.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Thomas, son of Abimael. Shepherd.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Five denarii.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48My wife is sick.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52We had a child, she lost a lot of blood.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54We needed medicine.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Seven, next week.- Yes.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Thank you.- If it's short again,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02we'll come and take livestock.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Next.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Name?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10May the source of strength bless the ones that came before us
0:21:10 > 0:21:13help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16Amen.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Thomas, how is your wife?
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Still a little weak.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I will call by and see her.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Thank you.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30You seem troubled.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I couldn't afford my taxes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Leah's medicine.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Now it's more next week.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Herod tries to buy our favour with his new temple,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49yet he takes food from our mouths to build it.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53We should all refuse to pay
0:21:53 > 0:21:55and march on his palace.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Our time will come.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Messiah will come.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02One man to fight Herod and the whole Roman Empire?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Not just a man...
0:22:04 > 0:22:06The Messiah will be sent by God.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13And what concern would someone like that have for a shepherd?
0:22:13 > 0:22:15I try to believe, Rabbi,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18but it's hard.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Not to believe is to live without hope.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47When we're married, will you still come to watch me work every day?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And who would take care of the house?
0:22:50 > 0:22:52We could get a servant.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- On a carpenter's wages? - I'll work twice as quickly with you there, so will earn twice as much.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- That doesn't seem to have worked this morning.- It's too hot!
0:23:00 > 0:23:02All the more need for a roof!
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Are you telling me off?
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- No.- You're turning into your mother, I knew it.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13If I'm going to be your wife, I need a house to live in.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It's only been a few months.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I think it's going really well.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20For a house without a roof.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- I can't see.- That's the whole idea.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06- But what are you doing?- It's not what I'm doing, it's what I've done.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11- Well?- Oh, it's beautiful!
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Then you will fit perfectly.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- I'm sorry.- Please, don't be.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25If I'd known you'd be this happy, I would've worked faster.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28It's perfect.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Couldn't we just have a quiet wedding?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- Quiet?- Just you and me.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40I think the rabbi needs to be there.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Oh, all right, just one rabbi.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45And our parents and family...
0:24:45 > 0:24:49I'm useless at formal things, I spill drinks and bump into people.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- I'll take care of you. - Your mother keeps looking at me.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Like she's sizing me up all the time. She looks at me, then she does this...
0:24:55 > 0:24:57sighing thing.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01- She likes you.- If you like someone, you smile at them, you don't sigh.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Oh, I do love you, you're so funny...
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Say that again.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12You're funny!
0:25:12 > 0:25:16No, not the funny bit, the other bit, the bit before that bit.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17My mother likes you.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20No, after that... before "you're funny".
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- You said you loved me.- Did I?- Yes.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I mean, I know I love you and I wanted you to love me
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and I thought that one day you might.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35But you just said it...out loud.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Then it must be true.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39So you do... Love me?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Yes, I love you.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- Can everyone come to the wedding now?- Everyone!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50The whole world!
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Strangers, lepers, even Romans!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The rabbi needs to speak to you both.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Hello, Mary.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Don't be afraid.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Who are you?
0:27:46 > 0:27:48My parents are just inside!
0:27:48 > 0:27:49They're sleeping.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51And you mustn't worry,
0:27:51 > 0:27:53God is with you.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55He holds you in much favour.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Please...
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Sit.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04You're safe,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I promise.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13What do you want with me?
0:28:13 > 0:28:15My name is Gabriel,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and I have stood in the presence of God
0:28:18 > 0:28:20and he has sent me to you.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22I don't understand.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24You have been chosen.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26I don't know what you mean.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Chosen for what?
0:28:29 > 0:28:31You will bear a child.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34A son.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37He will be called Jesus.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42- Jesus.- He will form a bridge between Heaven and Earth for all time.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46He will be called the Son of God,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48and he will take up the throne of David...
0:28:50 > 0:28:53..and his reign...
0:28:53 > 0:28:55will know no end.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59But I've never been with a man.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02How could I be with child?
0:29:02 > 0:29:05The Holy Spirit has found you.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07You have nothing to fear, Mary.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Why are you saying this?
0:29:12 > 0:29:16It isn't true. I don't know who you are, but I don't believe you.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Now leave me. - Do you love your God, Mary?
0:29:22 > 0:29:23Mary?
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Yes.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Do you trust in Him?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Yes.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Close your eyes.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Look inside yourself.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Find the Holy Spirit within you.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58It will be shown to you now.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00SHE GASPS AND WHEEZES
0:30:02 > 0:30:05You are blessed amongst women.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08You carry the son of God!
0:30:08 > 0:30:10It can't be!
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Joseph!
0:30:14 > 0:30:17He is a good man. He will care for you and the child.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20The light of the world is within you!
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Your cousin Elizabeth and her husband have also conceived a son.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27The child will be called John, and he will be known as the Baptist,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30and he will prepare the way for the son of God.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Be strong, Mary.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42For you shall be called great amongst women.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47And from you...
0:30:49 > 0:30:51..will come a king.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55SHE WEEPS
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Thank you.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31- You should sleep.- I can't.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40- Joseph...- We'll leave just after dawn. Try to get some rest.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Mary! I was just...
0:32:32 > 0:32:34It's beautiful.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37I thought we could put a crib there, maybe two.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39The other eight might be a problem.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46There's still lots to do.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48But look, I finished my work table.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51It's bigger than I planned, the wood was, well...
0:32:51 > 0:32:52Made the chairs.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Joseph, I need to talk to you.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57What's wrong? You don't like it?
0:32:57 > 0:32:59No. No, no, no. I love it.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02It's going to be everything I knew it would.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Then what?
0:33:06 > 0:33:09I don't know if I can be the wife you want.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12The one you deserve.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14I knew this would happen.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17You're nervous about the wedding.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- No...- It's natural. But you mustn't be. Every step you take
0:33:20 > 0:33:23for the rest of your life, I'll be right next to you.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- But...- Do you love me?
0:33:27 > 0:33:29- Yes. - Then we'll be married in the summer.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31And this house will be full of love
0:33:31 > 0:33:35and laughter and the sound of children playing.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38And every day, I'll wake up with only one thought in my mind,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41which is how I can make you happier.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45But what if I can't be the wife you think I can?
0:33:45 > 0:33:48How can you be anything else?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Mary?
0:33:51 > 0:33:52I think I had a dream.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54You think?
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Someone came, they told me that I was blessed by God.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Not nearly as blessed as I am.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- All you've got is me, whereas I've got you.- He said...
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Whatever it was, it was just a dream.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07You're nervous about the wedding, that's all.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09I have waited my whole life for you.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Nothing will ever come between us.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36She needs more rest, and perhaps more absinthium.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Do you have much left?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Thomas, son of Abimael.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52Your tax is late. Seven denarii.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Just one more week, please. My wife, she's...
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Take it in meat.- No! No, please!
0:36:03 > 0:36:05LAMBS BLEAT
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- Well? - The council have decided to wait.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- What?- To see if the star appears before making a decision.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42But that'll be too late. Look.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46The arcs have continued, and its path remains the same.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49The conjunction is here.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53It'll burn brightest above Jerusalem, in the land of the Jews.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56It will take us months to get there. If we wait, we'll miss it!
0:36:56 > 0:36:59We can't make such a journey unnoticed.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The Romans will see it as an invasion into their territories.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04They could turn us back, or worse.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09- But the region is under King Herod's rule.- And do you think that he's any better?- We have to go.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11He's right, of course.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Just imagine -
0:37:13 > 0:37:15a new king to be born,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18blessed by the god of Abraham.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24The magi must be there, at the heart of it.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- We must understand what it means. - It's not safe.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31What if Herod or the Romans attack our convoy?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Don't be ridiculous.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36The journey'll probably kill me anyway.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Mother, have you heard anything from Elizabeth?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Your cousin? No, I haven't. Why?
0:38:19 > 0:38:21I thought I might visit her.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Absolutely not. The road to Judah's too dangerous.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27- I think I had a dream. - And she was in this dream?
0:38:27 > 0:38:29In a way.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31It's been on my mind ever since,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35so I thought if I saw her, I'd know that what I saw was just a dream.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- What would Joseph say? - He's busy with the house.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Please.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42I'll talk to your father.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Sire, we've had word from Augustus Caesar in Rome.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27- He thinks we're cheating him? - Tributes have fallen.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30He's organised a census in all the territories.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- And if we refuse?- He may get his legions to do it for him.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36He wouldn't dare.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38If all the regions of the empire are going to take part,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41he can't be seen to allow only us to refuse.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43It would undermine his authority.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46What about MY authority?
0:39:46 > 0:39:51- To govern my own kingdom as I see fit?- That's unquestioned,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53within our own borders.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57Yet Augustus uses his legions to dictate what I can and cannot do.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01What kind of king does that make me?
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Even the Jews despise me.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08- No, sire.- Oh...
0:40:08 > 0:40:12You think I don't hear what they say?
0:40:13 > 0:40:16That I'm only half a Jew,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19not worthy to rule over them.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22That one day,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25a messiah will come to lead them.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28It's old wives' tales, nothing more.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29Is it?
0:40:29 > 0:40:31You have the backing of Rome.
0:40:31 > 0:40:39- Who could possibly threaten you? - Rome itself.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50"All citizens of the empire are to return to their birthplace,
0:40:50 > 0:40:54"and for the village registrars to confirm their entries."
0:40:57 > 0:40:59How shall I reply?
0:40:59 > 0:41:03Tell them we expect our cooperation to be rewarded by Rome.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Sire.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- I should be coming with you. - I'll be back before you know it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28That's too long.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- I have to see Elizabeth.- Why now?
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Can't explain, not yet. But I will, I promise.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36Don't be long.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Watch your head.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57Amos, you look after my bride. Bring her back safe!
0:42:24 > 0:42:25To Jerusalem!
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Father.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25Elizabeth?
0:44:41 > 0:44:45He was in the temple and he said he heard the word of God
0:44:45 > 0:44:47telling him we were to conceive a child.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52He hasn't spoken since that day,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54so he writes everything down.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58Just leaves notes lying around for me to read.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02And the voice he heard, he said it was God?
0:45:02 > 0:45:04He has no doubt.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06- And you?- I don't know what to think.
0:45:06 > 0:45:08But then there's this.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11How can I explain it?
0:45:11 > 0:45:14The voice, what did it say?
0:45:14 > 0:45:17It said that the two of us were to conceive a son
0:45:17 > 0:45:21who would prepare the way for someone greater.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25Zacharias thinks the Messiah is coming.
0:45:25 > 0:45:31He said that he was even given a name that we are to call our child.
0:45:31 > 0:45:33John.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35How can you know that?
0:45:36 > 0:45:38Mary?
0:45:38 > 0:45:41Uh, someone came to see me.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Um, a man.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47At least I think he was a man.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52He said I was to bear a son.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54What kind of man?
0:45:55 > 0:45:59I don't know. He was there and then he wasn't.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01It was like a dream.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03He told me to close my eyes,
0:46:03 > 0:46:09and inside I was bathed in light, and in warmth,
0:46:09 > 0:46:13and in so much love,
0:46:13 > 0:46:18a feeling I can't describe, and I knew it was true.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21½You're with child now?
0:46:24 > 0:46:26Joseph?
0:46:26 > 0:46:28No, no. I'm still a virgin.
0:46:28 > 0:46:29Mary, you can't...
0:46:29 > 0:46:32No, it's true!
0:46:32 > 0:46:35That's why I'm here. He told me you would bear a son too,
0:46:35 > 0:46:40that he would be called John and would prepare the way for him.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45My baby gave such a kick when I saw you.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50Elizabeth, you must help me.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44Mary!
0:47:44 > 0:47:45Mary!
0:47:46 > 0:47:48Look!
0:47:52 > 0:47:56I told Zacharias what you told me, and he wrote this down.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00It's from the book of Isaiah.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02Can you read it to me?
0:48:03 > 0:48:08"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
0:48:08 > 0:48:11"and God shall be among us."
0:48:15 > 0:48:18You're carrying the messiah.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22Do you believe that?
0:48:22 > 0:48:25Do you really believe?
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- If you truly are a virgin... - Elizabeth, I'm so frightened.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30Think what this means.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33God has chosen you.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35But I am nobody.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38Mary, you are blessed.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42You will be remembered for generations to come.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48I don't know what to do.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51Stay here a while,
0:48:51 > 0:48:54I'll send word to your parents.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57But the time will come when you must go home.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02And if Joseph won't believe me?
0:49:06 > 0:49:10Then it's a burden that you must carry alone.
0:49:28 > 0:49:29Oh, thank you.
0:49:31 > 0:49:32Mmm.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39What do you think we'll find when we get to the land of the Jews?
0:49:39 > 0:49:41If I knew that, I wouldn't need to make the journey.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45You called it...a bridge.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48A bridge between Heaven and Earth.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Such a star can't mean anything else.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53But a bridge for what purpose?
0:49:56 > 0:49:59Do you believe in God, Balthasar?
0:49:59 > 0:50:01- Yes.- Yes.
0:50:01 > 0:50:02As what?
0:50:02 > 0:50:04A presence?
0:50:07 > 0:50:09An intellect? Someone who...
0:50:09 > 0:50:15created the world and moved on, or someone who stayed and watches us,
0:50:15 > 0:50:16like a father?
0:50:16 > 0:50:19I'm not sure.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22There was a time when it seems
0:50:22 > 0:50:25the god of Abraham intervened
0:50:25 > 0:50:28when he raised Sodom to the ground,
0:50:28 > 0:50:31sent manna from Heaven to feed the hungry.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35In the Jewish faith, there was no doubt who or what he was when he helped Moses in Egypt,
0:50:35 > 0:50:37sending plagues against the pharaohs.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41Yes, but the times of God's intervention on Earth are long past.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44They're little more than stories now.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47Yes, yes. But isn't that how you deal with a child?
0:50:47 > 0:50:52You nurture them, a constant presence, teaching them to fend for themselves,
0:50:52 > 0:50:55to make their own way in the world,
0:50:55 > 0:50:58making rules so that when the time comes, you let the child go.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00Yes.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Because the father no longer intervenes in the lives of his children
0:51:03 > 0:51:07but simply watches from a distance as they make their way in the world,
0:51:07 > 0:51:11does it mean he's no longer there?
0:51:11 > 0:51:12No.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14No, of course not.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18But what if the child appeared to have lost his way?
0:51:18 > 0:51:22To have forgotten the things that he was taught?
0:51:25 > 0:51:28The father would...
0:51:28 > 0:51:30intervene.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Wouldn't you?
0:52:20 > 0:52:24I don't understand why she's been away so long.
0:52:24 > 0:52:25Amos brought back word.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Her cousin Elizabeth is with child and close to her time.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- Mary is helping her.- And that's all?
0:52:31 > 0:52:33What else could it be?
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Elizabeth is old.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38How she conceived in the first place is beyond me.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40We all thought her barren.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43But it's typical of Mary to stay and help.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45She's a good girl.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48- You have nothing to fear, I'd stake my life on it.- So would I.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50Well, then.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52You've heard about the census?
0:52:52 > 0:52:54There's talk of little else.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56We have to register at our town of birth,
0:52:56 > 0:52:59so I have to travel to Bethlehem.
0:52:59 > 0:53:00Ah, so that's the problem.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03You're worried that you won't see her before you leave?
0:53:03 > 0:53:04I miss her so much.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07It'll take me weeks to travel to Bethlehem and back.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10She'll have forgotten what I look like, if she hasn't already.
0:53:10 > 0:53:15I'll try and send word to Elizabeth, see what we can do.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52Herod's border is half a day's ride.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54It's better we don't cross at night.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56We must show them we have nothing to hide.
0:53:56 > 0:54:00Then we'll stop here. Set up camp.
0:54:00 > 0:54:01Stop!
0:54:14 > 0:54:16Mary?
0:54:16 > 0:54:19I've had word from your father.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21It's time to go home.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54Sire...
0:54:55 > 0:54:57a messenger has arrived with this.
0:54:57 > 0:55:01A magi caravan has been seen crossing the border from the east.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13Joseph, Mary's home.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17- What?- She arrived back from Judah, but there's a...
0:55:17 > 0:55:19Ha-ha!
0:55:50 > 0:55:51Mary!
0:56:04 > 0:56:06Joseph.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:35 > 0:56:38E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk