Joseph and Mary

It was the

year of our Lord.

Jerusalem was ruled by

King Herod the Great.

Ruthless and greedy, he

ignored the laws of God

and chose the favor of Rome

over his own people.

But from the darkness,

emerged light.

The time had come

to bear witness

to a two thousand

year old prophecy.

A Child of God

would be born.

Taxes!

Taxes for Harod

and Caesar.

Taxes!

You!

Taxes!

Taxes for Harod

and Caesar, come.

Taxes!

You, bend your ear.

Double.

Taxes.

- We need money to - feed our children,

- Not to line the - pockets of Rome!

If you cannot pay the taxes,

claim a monthly loan.

No one can ever recover

from such high interests.

Stop your sniveling,

pay your taxes.

It's easy for you.

- You just keep raising - your prices.

Your family has

not suffered.

- This does not bode - well, Joseph.

No, I fear that it will get

worse as the crowd rages.

King Herod is

building a port

that will make Israel

the centre of trade.

- We will all benefit - one day.

Build, build, build, that

is all that madman does.

At our expense.

- Come, Aaron - let us go.

- Aaron please let - us go home.

- I am not a servant - to Herod.

- I will not be - silenced...

- How dare you speak - ill of the King!

Who speaks ill

of the King?

This man, my lord.

Let this man be made

an example of.

Cut off his hand!

- No I beseech - you, no, no!

Such anarchy will

not be tolerated.

No please, please, please,

I beseech you, please!

Do it!

No, Aaron, Aaron!

Stop!

- Perhaps there - is another way.

Who dare defies

me now?

Forgive me.

My name is Rabbi Elijah and I

am but a humble servant of God.

I mean no disrespect.

Yes, this man was

out of line,

- but he seems an - honest citizen,

With a wife and

children.

How will he pay your

taxes with one hand?

You're offering me your

hand instead?

An equal restitution.

Allow him to work off his

debt, not once but two-fold.

That way you will collect

more than you came for,

and this man, this husband and

father, will remain whole.

No, an example must

be made.

Cut off his hand.

No, no, no!

No, no, no!

Let this be an example

to you all.

Guards on me!

We'll be back.

Aaron, Aaron,

Aaron, don't die!

Re-bekah.

You must protect

my wife and sons.

Do not exert yourself.

- Don't die, don't - die, don't die.

Help, help, help!

Please...

Promise me...

No, no, no, help,

help, help!

Thank you.

Are you well?

Yes.

- God's messenger - said that this Child

Will bring a great

light into this world.

I feel blessed, but I don't

understand why he chose me.

You will make a

wonderful father.

Good morning

Joseph, Mary.

Greetings Elijah.

- I see you have - a new project.

I am well motivated.

Do you have any news

from yesterday?

Such a sad business.

How is she, the

poor widow?

Rebekah.

Not very well.

It's a tragic loss.

Tragic but inevitable.

You were right, Joseph, the

people have had enough.

- Herod has - gone too far.

His vision comes

at a cost.

Wrongly or rightly, Herod

believes he is uniting Israel.

- If anything will - unify Israel,

It is the hatred of

this common enemy.

Do you not

agree, Joseph?

I do not agree with

Herod's methods.

But hate only

fuels civil unrest.

- Even if it is against - a common enemy.

What do you suggest?

I don't know.

Perhaps compassion, love?

- Is that what - you believe?

Love an enemy?

My friends, the words 'love'

and 'enemy' are not compatible.

Love an enemy.

I fear the heat has finally

gotten to you Joseph!

Will you join us for

supper, Elijah?

Sadly not this time.

I'm on my way to Nazareth

to bring provisions to Rebekah.

Then let us offer you

these provisions.

- Do not trouble - yourself.

Take care of you and your

own growing family.

- Rebekah needs it - more than us.

And everyone needs

a helping hand.

You are very kind.

Thank you.

Safe travels.

This is most

generous of you.

My friends, Mary and Joseph

are always the first to help.

- Please thank - them for us.

My daughter and I are most

indebted to you, Rabbi.

Please, it is

no trouble.

Is there anything

else you need?

Please.

Please, please.

- Let me help - you with that.

I wish I had the words to soothe

your daughter's suffering.

I would like to honor her

late husband's request.

If it pleases you.