0:01:03 > 0:01:05Bethlehem.
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!
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Come, your father won't be long!
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Mother!
0:02:21 > 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 > 0:02:53And now a woman.
0:02:53 > 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.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Jedeiah is a good man...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Perhaps a little old?
0:03:14 > 0:03:17He's not yet 60.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20No...
0:03:20 > 0:03:26But it is well known that he has spent little of that time in the synagogue.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28My Mary is such a devout girl.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- Well?- They suggested Jedeiah.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41The stonemason?
0:03:41 > 0:03:43He smells!
0:03:43 > 0:03:48And his children are little brats, and he's older than us...
0:03:48 > 0:03:50both of us put together!
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Don't worry, I talked them out of it.
0:03:55 > 0:03:56So who did we get?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- You're a carpenter, Joseph?- Yes.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10A good one?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Uh, no thank you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Your parents are well? - Yes, thank you.- Give them our best. - Do you have your own house?
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Uh, I'm building one now.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Although I can only do it in the evenings when I've finished work. So, it'll be a little while yet.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- How long?- A year.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Oh...- Or maybe less.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Good.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Mary, why don't you show Joseph around the farm?
0:04:38 > 0:04:39Your mother and I will follow.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- He seems nice. - Wasn'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.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I've seen you a lot...
0:05:12 > 0:05:14in the synagogue.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Oh, I go every day.- Every day?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Mm-mm. Yes, I love it there. It's...
0:05:19 > 0:05:21It's so peaceful.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Best of all is when there's no-one else there, and you
0:05:24 > 0:05:29fight your way through the market and the soldiers and the noise, and...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32inside, it's so still and so cool.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36You feel safe, as though...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39God is cradling you in his arms.
0:05:39 > 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 > 0:05:52No, I love paying my taxes,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54to Herod, to Caesar.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56I only wish there were more taxes.
0:05:56 > 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 > 0:06:05Is that good?
0:06:05 > 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 > 0:06:19Yes.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21It's a start. I can build on that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Of course, it will look totally different once I've finished.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39And you've started?
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Yeah.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Look...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46This will be the living area,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48a small kitchen here.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Uh...
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Sleeping area...
0:06:54 > 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.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Looks like they're starting to think maybe 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 > 0:07:40And I hate the smell of fish.
0:07:42 > 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 > 0:07:50And I the best wife I can be.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01We'll arrange the betrothal ceremony for next month, with the wedding a year from then...
0:08:01 > 0:08:04when the house is finished.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Receive this piece of silver
0:08:48 > 0:08:54as a pledge that you shall be my spouse...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59a year from today and 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 > 0:09:54- Is Zacharias here? - Oh, 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.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Well, I hope you'll both be very happy.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Did I say something wrong?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Elizabeth always wanted children, but she's barren.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- Sorry...- No.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17It wasn't your fault, you didn't know.
0:10:18 > 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 > 0:11:55- For what?- You.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I mean, I didn't know it was you, or even what you would look like, but
0:12:00 > 0:12:03I 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 > 0:12:43If you're so moved by my purity, then 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 > 0:12:57I think this chastity before marriage was 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 > 0:13:29Now where are we?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Look, there!- Where?- Just there!
0:13:32 > 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 > 0:14:00But does he see the whole world as one,
0:14:00 > 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 > 0:15:18A trinity. Jupiter has ringed Regulus three times already, and it now moves towards Saturn.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Look!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25What are you saying, Gaspar?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28They will be as one star.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- But that's not possible.- I know!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34But it's happening anyway!
0:15:34 > 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 > 0:15:47They call us wise men, yet is that all we are?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Gatherers of knowledge?
0:15:49 > 0:15:54Men, men who see everything, yet 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 > 0:16:16and we betray all who've come before us by 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 > 0:17:12Shhh! The prophecy is clear - a star will come out of Jacob and 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 > 0:17:44Balthasar, 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 > 0:18:04The prophecy is far more than just a star forming to herald a new king in Israel.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10Balaam also believed that one day there would be a bridge between Heaven
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and Earth - that 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 gonna 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 > 0:19:46Did you find it?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49In the rocks at the bottom of the hill.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Poor thing. It must've been terrified.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54I 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 > 0:20:06Just 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 > 0:20:55We needed medicine.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Seven, next week.- Yes. Thank you.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02If it's short again, we'll come and take livestock.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Next.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Name.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10May the source of strength bless the ones that came before us
0:21:10 > 0:21:14help 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 > 0:21:50yet he takes food from our mouths to build it.
0:21:50 > 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 > 0:22:12And what concern would someone like that have for a shepherd?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I try to believe, Rabbi,
0:22:17 > 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 > 0:22:53- And who would take care of the house?- We could get a servant. - On a carpenter's wages?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56I'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.
0:24:26 > 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 > 0:25:04Oh, 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 > 0:25:14No, not the funny bit, the other bit, the bit before that bit.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17My mother likes you.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19No, after that... before "you're funny".
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- You said you loved me.- Did I?- Yes.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32I mean, I know I love you and I wanted you to love me and 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.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24You have been chosen.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:54 > 0:28:57E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk