| Director | D.J. Caruso |
|---|---|
| Genre | epic film, religious film |
| Country | United Kingdom, United States |
After years of praying for a child, the angel Gabriel appears to Joachim and tells him that he will have a daughter. In exchange, Joachim and his wife, Anne, are to dedicate their daughter to the service of God. Nine months later, Anne gives birth to Mary in Nazareth. Elsewhere, Herod the Great announces plans to rebuild the Second Temple. Fearing the growing threats to his throne, he orders the death of Aristobulus, the brother of his wife, Mariamne. When Mariamne protests, Herod stabs her himself.
Years later, Joachim and Anne present Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated to God. She is met by Anna the Prophetess and Baba ben Buta, and is educated in the temple until she is a teenager. While washing clothes in a stream, she meets Joseph, who is immediately enamored with her and briskly asks Joachim and Anne for her hand in marriage. After her betrothal, Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her that she will bear a son and name him Jesus. When the High Priests find out about Mary's pregnancy, they cast her out of the temple, though Anna tells her she will return someday.
Mary tells Anne about her pregnancy, and Anne sends her to stay with her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant. The news of Mary's pregnancy begins to spread, and rumors circulate about her supposed promiscuity. When Mary goes to the city to explain herself to Joseph, she is nearly stoned by a mob, but Joseph helps her escape. He assures her that he does not care what people think and promises to love both her and the child. Mary and Joseph are married, but soon enter into hiding and travel to Bethlehem.
Herod's reign becomes increasingly tyrannical, causing unrest among Jews who wish to restore the House of David. Herod learns that the King of the Jews is soon to be born in Bethlehem, threatening his throne. When Mary goes into labor, Joseph seeks out shelter at several inns, but is told that there are no rooms due to the influx of pilgrims in the city for the birth of the Messiah. They find a stable, and Mary finally gives birth to Jesus. Upon hearing of Jesus's birth, Herod orders the Massacre of the Innocents, and Mary and Joseph flee for Egypt. They find shelter with a family along the way, but are soon found by Herod’s guards. After managing to escape, they present Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem.