0:00:02 > 0:00:04Everything I say or do until the day I die will have one purpose -
0:00:04 > 0:00:05to one day make you love me.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- You seem troubled. - I couldn't afford my taxes.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10My wife is sick.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12We had a child, we needed medicine.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- Our time will come, the Messiah will come.- When?
0:00:15 > 0:00:21The prophecy is far more than just a star forming to herald a new king.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Balaam also believed that it would herald a king blessed by God Himself.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27- Who are you?- My name is Gabriel.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29You have been chosen.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- Chosen for what? - You will bear a child.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39A son.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41He will be called Jesus.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Jesus.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46He will form a bridge between Heaven and Earth for all time.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51He will be called the son of God,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53and he will take up the throne of David...
0:00:55 > 0:00:58..and his reign...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01will know no end.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06But I've never been with a man. How could I be with child?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10The Holy Spirit has found you.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13You have nothing to fear, Mary.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Why are you saying this?
0:01:17 > 0:01:20It isn't true. I don't know who you are, but I don't believe you.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- Now leave me. - Do you love your God, Mary?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Mary?
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Yes.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Do you trust in Him?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Yes.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Close your eyes.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Look inside yourself.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Find the Holy Spirit within you.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02It will be shown to you now.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05SHE GASPS AND WHEEZES
0:02:07 > 0:02:09You are blessed amongst women.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12You carry the son of God!
0:02:12 > 0:02:13It can't be!
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- Joseph!- He is a good man. He will care for you and the child.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24The light of the world is within you!
0:02:24 > 0:02:28Your cousin Elizabeth and her husband have also conceived a son.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31The child will be called John, and he will be known as the Baptist,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34and he will prepare the way for the son of God.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Be strong, Mary.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47For you shall be called great amongst women.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52And from you...
0:02:54 > 0:02:56..will come a king.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59SHE WEEPS
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Thank you.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- You should sleep.- I can't.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- Joseph...- We'll leave just after dawn. Try to get some rest.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Mary! I was just...
0:04:38 > 0:04:39It's beautiful.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43I thought we could put a crib there, maybe two.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44The other eight might be a problem.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53There's still lots to do. But look, I finished my work table.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56It's bigger than I planned, the wood was, well...
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Made the chairs.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Joseph, I need to talk to you.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02What's wrong? You don't like it?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04No. No, no, no. I love it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07It's going to be everything I knew it would.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Then what?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I don't know if I can be the wife you want.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- The one you deserve. - I knew this would happen.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21You're nervous about the wedding.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- No...- It's natural. But you mustn't be. Every step you take
0:05:25 > 0:05:27for the rest of your life, I'll be right next to you.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- But...- Do you love me?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Yes. - Then we'll be married in the summer.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40And this house will be full of love and laughter and the sound of children playing.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43And every day, I'll wake up with only one thought in my mind,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46which is how I can make you happier.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49But what if I can't be the wife you think I can?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51How can you be anything else?
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Mary?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57I think I had a dream.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59You think?
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Someone came, they told me that I was blessed by God.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- Not nearly as blessed as I am. All you've got is me, whereas I've got you.- He said...
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Whatever it was, it was just a dream.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12You're nervous about the wedding, that's all.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I have waited my whole life for you.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Nothing will ever come between us.
0:06:36 > 0:06:42She needs more rest, and perhaps more absinthium.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Do you have much left?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Thomas, son of Abimael.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Your tax is late. Seven denarii.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Just one more week, please.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- My wife, she's...- Take it in meat.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03No! No, please!
0:08:09 > 0:08:10LAMBS BAA
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Well? - The council have decided to wait.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- What?- To see if the star appears before making a decision.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46But that'll be too late. Look.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51The arcs have continued, and its path remains the same.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53The conjunction is here.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It'll burn brightest above Jerusalem, in the land of the Jews.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It will take us months to get there.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01If we wait, we'll miss it!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We can't make such a journey unnoticed.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06The Romans will see it as an invasion into their territories.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08They could turn us back, or worse.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10But the region is under King Herod's rule.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- And do you think that he's any better?- We have to go.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14He's right, of course.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Just imagine - a new king to be born,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23blessed by the god of Abraham.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29The magi must be there, at the heart of it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- We must understand what it means. - It's not safe.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36What if Herod or the Romans attack our convoy?
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Don't be ridiculous.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40The journey'll probably kill me anyway.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Mother, have you heard anything from Elizabeth?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Your cousin? No, I haven't. Why?
0:10:25 > 0:10:26I thought I might visit her.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Absolutely not. The road to Judah's too dangerous.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- I think I had a dream. - And she was in this dream?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35In a way.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40It's been on my mind ever since, so I thought if I saw her, I'd know that what I saw was just a dream.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- What would Joseph say? - He's busy with the house.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Please.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47I'll talk to your father.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Sire, we've had word from Augustus Caesar in Rome.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29He thinks we're cheating him?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Tributes have fallen.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34He's organised a census in all the territories.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36And if we refuse?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38He may get his legions to do it for him.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40He wouldn't dare.
0:11:40 > 0:11:46If all the regions of the empire are going to take part, he can't be seen to allow only us to refuse.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49It would undermine his authority.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52What about MY authority?
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- To govern my own kingdom as I see fit?- That's unquestioned,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58within our own borders.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Yet Augustus uses his legions to dictate what I can and cannot do.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06What kind of king does that make me?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Even the Jews despise me.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12No, sire.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Oh...
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You think I don't hear what they say?
0:12:18 > 0:12:22That I'm only half a Jew,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25not worthy to rule over them.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28That one day,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30a messiah will come to lead them.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It's old wives' tales, nothing more.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Is it?
0:12:35 > 0:12:37You have the backing of Rome.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43- Who could possibly threaten you? - Rome itself.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55"All citizens of the empire are to return to their birthplace,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59"and for the village registrars to confirm their entries."
0:13:02 > 0:13:04How shall I reply?
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Tell them we expect our cooperation to be rewarded by Rome.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Sire.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- I should be coming with you. - I'll be back before you know it.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32That's too long.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I have to see Elizabeth.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Why now?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Can't explain, not yet. But I will, I promise.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Don't be long.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Watch your head.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Amos, you look after my bride. Bring her back safe!
0:14:29 > 0:14:31To Jerusalem!
0:15:09 > 0:15:10Father.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Elizabeth?
0:16:47 > 0:16:52He was in the temple and he said he heard the word of God telling him we were to conceive a child.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56He hasn't spoken since that day,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59so he writes everything down.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Just leaves notes lying around for me to read.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And the voice he heard, he said it was God?
0:17:07 > 0:17:08He has no doubt.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- And you?- I don't know what to think. But then there's this.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16How can I explain it?
0:17:16 > 0:17:18The voice, what did it say?
0:17:18 > 0:17:25It said that the two of us were to conceive a son who would prepare the way for someone greater.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Zacharias thinks the Messiah is coming.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33He said that he was even given a name that we are to call our child.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37John.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38How can you know that?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Mary?
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Uh, someone came to see me.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Um, a man.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52At least I think he was a man.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56He said I was to bear a son.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58What kind of man?
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I don't know. He was there and then he wasn't.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06It was like a dream.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09He told me to close my eyes,
0:18:09 > 0:18:14and inside I was bathed in light, and in warmth,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and in so much love,
0:18:18 > 0:18:23a feeling I can't describe, and I knew it was true.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25You're with child now?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Joseph?- No, no. I'm still a virgin.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- Mary, you can't...- No, it's true!
0:18:36 > 0:18:40That's why I'm here. He told me you would bear a son too,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44that he would be called John and would prepare the way for him.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50My baby gave such a kick when I saw you.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Elizabeth, you must help me.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Mary!
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Mary!
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Look!
0:19:57 > 0:20:00I told Zacharias what you told me, and he wrote this down.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03It's from the book of Isaiah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Can you read it to me?
0:20:07 > 0:20:12"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16"and God shall be among us."
0:20:19 > 0:20:22You're carrying the messiah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Do you believe that?
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- Do you really believe? - If you truly are a virgin...
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Elizabeth, I'm so frightened.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Think what this means.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37God has chosen you.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40But I am nobody.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41Mary, you are blessed.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46You will be remembered for generations to come.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52I don't know what to do.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58Stay here a while, I'll send word to your parents.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01But the time will come when you must go home.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06And if Joseph won't believe me?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Then it's a burden that you must carry alone.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Oh, thank you.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Mmm.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44What do you think we'll find when we get to the land of the Jews?
0:21:44 > 0:21:46If I knew that, I wouldn't need to make the journey.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49You called it...a bridge.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52A bridge between Heaven and Earth.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Such a star can't mean anything else.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57But a bridge for what purpose?
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Do you believe in God, Balthasar?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Yes.- Yes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08As what?
0:22:08 > 0:22:09A presence?
0:22:11 > 0:22:14An intellect? Someone who...
0:22:14 > 0:22:19created the world and moved on, or someone who stayed and watches us,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21like a father?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I'm not sure.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26There was a time when it seems
0:22:26 > 0:22:29the god of Abraham intervened
0:22:29 > 0:22:33when he raised Sodom to the ground,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36sent manna from Heaven to feed the hungry.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40In the Jewish faith, there was no doubt who or what he was when he helped Moses in Egypt,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42sending plagues against the pharaohs.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Yes, but the times of God's intervention on Earth are long past.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47They're little more than stories now.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Yes, yes. But isn't that how you deal with a child?
0:22:50 > 0:22:56You nurture them, a constant presence, teaching them to fend for themselves,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59to make their own way in the world,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02making rules so that when the time comes, you let the child go.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Yes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Because the father no longer intervenes in the lives of his children
0:23:07 > 0:23:10but simply watches from a distance as they make their way in the world,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15does it mean he's no longer there?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17No.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19No, of course not.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22But what if the child appeared to have lost his way?
0:23:22 > 0:23:26To have forgotten the things that he was taught?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32The father would...
0:23:32 > 0:23:34intervene.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Wouldn't you?
0:24:24 > 0:24:28I don't understand why she's been away so long.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Amos brought back word. Her cousin Elizabeth is with child and close to her time.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Mary is helping her.- And that's all?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37What else could it be?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Elizabeth is old.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42How she conceived in the first place is beyond me.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44We all thought her barren.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47But it's typical of Mary to stay and help.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49She's a good girl.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- You have nothing to fear, I'd stake my life on it.- So would I.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Well, then.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56You've heard about the census?
0:24:56 > 0:24:58There's talk of little else.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03We have to register at our town of birth, so I have to travel to Bethlehem.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Ah, so that's the problem.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07You're worried that you won't see her before you leave?
0:25:07 > 0:25:08I miss her so much.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11It'll take me weeks to travel to Bethlehem and back.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14She'll have forgotten what I look like, if she hasn't already.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19I'll try and send word to Elizabeth, see what we can do.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Herod's border is half a day's ride.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58It's better we don't cross at night.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01We must show them we have nothing to hide.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Then we'll stop here. Set up camp.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Stop!
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Mary?
0:26:20 > 0:26:24I've had word from your father.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25It's time to go home.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58Sire,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02a messenger has arrived with this.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05A magi caravan has been seen crossing the border from the east.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Joseph, Mary's home.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- What?- She arrived back from Judah, but there's a...
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Ha-ha!
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Mary!
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Joseph.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:45 > 0:28:49E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk