The Nativity

Your tax is late. Take it in meat. No, please! I'm...

I've heard the Magi talk of a new King in Israel.

Sire, who could possibly threaten you? It's not safe.

What if Herod or the Romans attack our convoy? The Magi must be there.

You are blessed amongst women.

You carry the son of God! Joseph!

He is a good man. He will care for you and the child. Mary!

Sweet Joseph.

What must you think of me?

There are things I have to tell you.

What could that be?

Things aren't what they seem.

So you're not pregnant?

You've stolen a melon from the market and hidden it under your dress?

No. I am pregnant. Then everything's exactly as it seems!

Please listen to me!

I'll go... You'll never see me again,

but don't you even want to hear what I've got to say?

I'm not asking you to change how you feel,

not even to understand, but just to let me explain as best I can!

You at least owe me that.

Joseph!

I'm all right.

Go.

Who is he?

Who?

The father.

There isn't one.

Not in the way you mean.

What? I haven't betrayed you.

For God's sake, Mary, you're pregnant. I know it isn't mine!

This isn't my doing.

You were raped?

No. No.

Then what?!

A messenger came to me!

What? From God.

Wait...! The messenger, he told me I would bear a son,

that the holy spirit would enter me and give me a child.

This is what you wanted me to listen to? It's the truth!

I'm still a virgin! You're saying that a messenger came from God and told you that you'd bear a son?

Yes. While you were in Judah?

No, before I left.

Before you left! You didn't think to mention it? I tried, but I couldn't find the words!

I was frightened and confused. And he also talked about my cousin.

That's why I had to see her, to be sure.

You're carrying God's son?

Yes.

Or is the truth that you went to Judah, had too many glasses of wine and ended up in bed with someone? No!

Then you're not pious Mary everybody thinks you are,

that despite being betrothed, you've been whoring yourself in Judah! Joseph, please! Please what?!

Believe you're a virgin and are carrying God's child?

Or forgive your whoring?

What I told you is the truth! So it's not enough that you betray me,

you want me to look like a fool as well?

I haven't betrayed you.

I loved you.

I know what you think of me.

You said this child wasn't Joseph's, was that the truth?

Yes. You're sure?

He didn't pressure you into saying this? No.

What I told you was the truth.

What you have done is bad enough,

but at least be honest about it instead of inventing this stupid story.

It's not a story!

Of everyone in the whole world,

I thought that you'd be the one person who would believe me.

You've broken your mother's heart.

I know.

Will Joseph stand by you?

I can't blame him.

He's a good man and you've humiliated him.

Then I will do this on my own.

Herod's border.

He will expect us to seek an audience to state our business.

But invite us to his palace, we could be there for days. Time is pressing enough as it is.

We can't cross the border without asking Herod's leave.

But we're here to see Balaam's star, not indulge in petty politics.

So what do we do? We do what we set out to do.

We move on.

Ride!

Sire.

If it's news from Rome, I have no interest.

The census is costing me a fortune.

People can't pay their taxes while they're travelling.

Magi caravan crossed the border this morning.

Have they sought an audience?

No, sire. But their course will bring them to Jerusalem.

Without my permission?

Appears so.

Then send the army to teach them some manners.

They hold a great influence, sire. It might not be wise to offend them.

They offend me!

Then perhaps I should go and meet them.

Ask them to state their business. Then do it quickly!

And if there's a conspiracy, I want it crushed!

Strew their carcasses across the desert.

Sire.

I have a sick wife, a baby, and a father to feed,

and yet they leave me with nothing!

They will be judged by God.

And in the meantime, I watch my family starve?

God will provide.

My whole life, I've heard the same thing,

yet seen nothing to convince me that it's true.

You must believe that,

as God's chosen people, he will come to our aid.

But God also says...

an eye for an eye.

So why can't we fight back?

Because we can't fight the whole Roman empire.

Why not?

Even if there were a thousand Romans to every one of us,

if God is really on our side, then how could we lose?

Wouldn't that be a real test of faith?

God will show us the way. The Messiah...

Your Messiah!

How many Jews will be left to see him?

Whore!

Stop it!

You don't belong! Stop it!

ALL SPEAK OVER ONE ANOTHER

Help us! Please!

You'll have to leave.

At least let my mother stay. No, you mustn't go out there!

This is the house of God. They'll stone her to death!

Please let us stay here.

This is no place for an adulteress.

I want to leave. But the people... They're still outside.

Then let them do as they will. Please!

In the name of God!

She's my child.

You can leave the back way.

Joseph?

You're leaving.

I have to register for the census.

Will you come back?

I don't know.

I have family in Bethlehem.

I have to ask you something.

I know I have no right, but I ask it anyway.

You don't even need to ask. You and Anna have been good to me. I'll set the betrothal aside in private.

I won't see her stoned.

Thank you.

Mary was attacked in the town today.

I don't know how I can protect her.

This is none of your doing.

I bear you no ill will.

Has she told you who the father is?

Forgive me, but there's something else I need to ask of you.

Anna and I have been talking.

It's not safe for Mary to stay here,

not any more.

Even without you making a charge against her, the mob would still see her stoned.

And how much worse will it be...

when the child is born?

I don't see what I can do.

You could take her with you. What?