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[rock rumbling and banging]

[upbeat music with clapping]

- Yeah!

[upbeat rock music]

Oh!

♪ While shepherds kept their watching ♪

♪ Over silent flocks by night ♪

♪ Behold throughout the heavens ♪

♪ There shone a holy light ♪

♪ Oh, I say go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ Over the hills and everywhere ♪

♪ Go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪

[upbeat rock music continues]

♪ The shepherds feared and trembled ♪

♪ When, lo, above the Earth ♪

♪ Rang out a angel chorus ♪

♪ That hailed our Savior's birth ♪

♪ And down in a lowly manger ♪

♪ A humble Christ was born ♪

♪ And God sent our salvation ♪

♪ On that blessed Christmas morn ♪

♪ Oh, I say go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ Over the hills and everywhere ♪

♪ Go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪

[upbeat rock music continues]

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Go and tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ I was a lonely seeker ♪

♪ I sought both night and day ♪

♪ And I asked the Lord to help me ♪

♪ And He showed me the way ♪

♪ He made me a watchman ♪

♪ Upon the city wall ♪

♪ And if I am a Christian ♪

♪ I am the least of all ♪

♪ So I say go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ Over the hills and everywhere ♪

♪ Go, tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ That Jesus Christ is born ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go and tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go and tell about it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go on and tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

♪ Go on and tell it ♪

♪ Go tell it ♪

- Hey there, I'm Dallas, creator of "The Chosen"

and I want to welcome you to "Christmas With The Chosen,"

our third Christmas special.

Man, this is going to be a fun one.

We have got some beautiful and very unique content

I'm about to introduce

and I am so grateful you're joining us.

Right now I'm standing in our Great Sanhedrin Temple set

here in Texas where we film the majority of our show.

We introduced this location in season three,

you might remember a few of the scenes,

and we have some really big scenes here in season four,

which is coming to theaters in less than two months.

I cannot wait to show it to you.

Now, why am I in here?

What does it have to do with Christmas?

Well, it kind of doesn't have anything to do with Christmas,

and that's the point.

You see, this is the room, or a room like it,

where people assumed the Messiah, the Savior of the world,

would end up as a leader, as a ruler with absolute power,

even an earthly king.

This is where the religious leaders of the Jewish people

in the Great Temple in Jerusalem met

along with the High Priest.

They made and interpreted laws.

They debated theology.

They sought to lead their people closer to God

and ultimately this is where they decided to kill Jesus

who unbeknownst to them was actually their Messiah.

Why didn't they know?

Well, one of the reasons was because

He wasn't born into royalty

or anything resembling religious leadership.

He couldn't have cared less about status

and His birth in a stable reflected that.

Another reason I'm in this room is that

the birth of "The Chosen" is also

somewhat the opposite of a place like this.

Over six years ago on a farm,

20 minutes from my house in Illinois,

I made a short film for my church called "The Shepherd."

It was about the birth of Christ

from the perspective of the shepherds

and everything about our production was humble and small.

We were behind a barn or out in a random field.

We went to a small sheep farm nearby for a few scenes.

One scene was filmed in a cornfield.

It was just a short film

for my church's Christmas Eve service,

and I had no idea that soon it would go viral

and be the catalyst for a record-breaking crowdfund

for season one of "The Chosen,"

that I'd be standing here now.

I also had no idea that in 2021, four years later,

we'd film a special episode of "The Chosen"

called "The Messengers,"

which was the same story of the birth of Christ,

but from the perspective of Mary and Joseph.

Well, a few months ago we decided to try an experiment.

What would it look like if we combined the two short films

into one narrative?

We all figured it'd be clunky,

that it would probably look and feel a little weird

because the two films weren't written

as one continuous piece

and that the differences would keep it from working.

But I won't forget the moment when my wife, Amanda, and I

saw it for the first time and almost wept

with how it came together.

So you'll see that tonight.

Is it perfectly seamless? Of course not.

We didn't originally intend for you to see

what you'll see tonight.

The music, the sets, the equipment, the crews,

the cinematography, basically everything but the director

is different between the two films.

But our team did some meticulous work on this

to try to make it a cohesive

and powerful viewing experience

and I know you'll be impacted and moved

by how it turned out.

We also assembled for you

some of the most popular music performances

from our first two Christmas specials.

These are the ones that rocketed up the music charts

after people saw them,

along with a brand new special performance

from the Andrea Bocelli.

Yes, you're hearing me correctly.

One of the most beautiful voices in history

from a beautiful soul

performed an incredible rendition of "O Holy Night"

for you in Italy.

And after each of our previous Christmas specials,

the monologues written by our "Chosen" co-writer,

Tyler Thompson, have been talked about

and cried over for weeks after by the viewers.

Well, it'll be the same this time around

because we've got two new ones and they are awesome.

Again, thank you for joining us.

I promise this is going to be a special time for you.

Please lean in, take in everything you can

from the truth of these extraordinary songs

and the portrayal of the greatest story ever told

through the eyes of people like us.

And be reminded that the Savior of the world

was born in even humbler circumstances than you and I were.

So as we strive to be more like Jesus and learn His lessons,

let's start with humility.

God bless you and Merry Christmas.

[dramatic drumming music]

♪ Oh Lord, my God ♪

♪ When I, in awesome wonder ♪

♪ Consider all ♪

♪ The worlds thy hands have made ♪

♪ I see the stars ♪

♪ I hear the rolling thunder ♪

♪ Thy power throughout ♪

♪ The universe displayed ♪

♪ Then sings my soul ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ Then sings my soul ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ And when I think ♪

♪ Of God, His Son not sparing ♪

♪ Sent Him to die ♪

♪ I scarce can take it in ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ That on the cross ♪

♪ That on the cross ♪

♪ My burden gladly bearing ♪

♪ He bled and died ♪

♪ To take away my sin ♪

♪ Then sings my soul ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ My Savior ♪

♪ Then sings my soul ♪

♪ My Savior God to thee ♪

♪ Savior God to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great ♪

♪ Thou art ♪

♪ How great ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great ♪

♪ Thou ♪

♪ Art ♪

[relaxing piano music]

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Oh, Noel ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ What child is this who laid to rest ♪

♪ On Mary's lap is sleeping ♪

♪ Whom angels greet with anthems sweet ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ While shepherds watch are keeping ♪

♪ This, this is Christ the King ♪

♪ Whom shepherds guard and angels sing ♪

♪ Haste, haste to bring Him laud ♪

♪ The babe, the Son of Mary ♪

♪ Why lies He in such mean estate ♪

♪ While ox and lamb are feeding ♪

♪ The end of fear for those who hear ♪

♪ The silent word is speaking ♪

♪ Nails, spears shall pierce Him through ♪

♪ The cross be borne for me, for you ♪

♪ For all ♪

♪ Hail, hail the Word made flesh ♪

♪ The babe, the Son of Mary ♪

♪ Hal ♪

♪ Hal ♪

♪ Hal ♪

♪ Do, do, do, do, do ♪

♪ Hal, hal ♪

♪ Do, do, do, do ♪

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Oh, noel ♪

♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪

♪ So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh ♪

♪ Come peasant king to own Him ♪

♪ Own Him ♪

♪ The King of Kings salvation brings ♪

♪ Let loving hearts enthrone Him ♪

♪ Raise, raise the Son on high ♪

♪ Raise the Son on high ♪

♪ The virgin sings her lullaby ♪

♪ Lullaby ♪

♪ Joy, joy for Christ is born ♪

♪ The babe, the Son ♪

♪ The babe, the Son of Mary ♪

♪ The babe, the Son of Mary ♪

- It all began as a planet of water.

The first two verses of Genesis

describe the world as formless and void,

an empty and shapeless blob shrouded in moisture,

uninhabitable for human life.

God said, "This won't do,"

so He got to work creating light on the first day.

"It's good," He said,

but everything was still covered in water

and there was no air to breathe.

An aqueous vacuum-sealed chaos.

So on the second day, God created an expanse

making space between the water and the heavens.

Something ancient writers first called a canopy,

then later the sky.

And what we now understand to be the atmosphere

encased in a gaseous shield, the ozone layer,

a delicate retainer of protection

that keeps the Sun from incinerating us by day

while retaining just enough of its warmth

to keep us from freezing to death at night.

Nice, but still nothing solid to stand on.

What were we supposed to do? Walk on the water?

Well, two people eventually did, but we'll get to that.

On the third day,

God gathered all the waters into specific places

and caused the dry land to appear, which He named earth.

God called the separation between the earth and water good.

The separated water took many forms, oceans and lakes,

lagoons, glaciers, gulfs, estuaries.

They would mark the division between continents,

hemispheres, and peoples.

Rivers in particular

would draw the borderlines of countries, states,

and even ideologies.

The crossing of which often signaled

a seismic turning point.

Slaves crossing the Ohio River into freedom.

George Washington crossing the Delaware.

Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon.

Rivers symbolize a perforation between existential realities

before and after,

now and next,

the former and yet to be.

And of the aforementioned none more so than this one:

The River Jordan.

If streams could talk, oh, the stories it could tell.

These waters whispered and prefigured

the coming of the Messiah for centuries.

After 40 years of wandering in the desert

in a state of anguished longing,

adversity, and occasional mutiny,

Israel finally crossed the Jordan into the Promise Land.

When the priests carrying

the physical manifestation of God's presence,

the Ark of the Covenant, stepped into it from the bank,

the waters drew back and stood in a heap

so that the entire nation passed through on dry land.

This river knows what Moses, Mary, Joseph,

and the shepherds learned.

That when God enters your midst,

whether in the form of an ark or a burning bush or a baby,

the flow of the trajectory of your life

comes to a screeching, laws-of-nature-defying halt

and no one can explain it.

Well, someone can, but you'd have to meet Him.

And that my friend is more harrowing, exhilarating,

and wonderfully dangerous

than stepping into roaring rushing rapids.

I wish it for you.

You'll survive, I promise,

but you will get swept away.

Perhaps that's what no one was ready for.

Despite humanity's enduring tendency to splinter off,

calcify our opinions of others,

and alienate those whom we deem irredeemable,

this river became a place of change,

healing, and integration.

The Jewish Prophet Elijah told Naaman,

the Syrian Army Commander, a Gentile and a pagan,

to dip in the Jordan seven times to cure him of his leprosy

and it worked.

And yet hundreds of years later,

everyone was shocked and scandalized

when the Messiah ministered to Gentiles

and performed miracles for them that signaled a world

where God's chosen people

are not defined by race or bloodline,

but by faith alone, united as one in Christ.

It was a startling permutation.

And maybe that's why God chose the Jordan

for so many significant events.

Because the difference between a river and a lake is that

rivers are always moving, changing, transforming.

The billions of H2O molecules

contained in a single drop of water

pass by you in a millisecond

and will never be in the same place again.

Before Jesus began His earthly ministry,

His cousin John baptized people in the Jordan and preached,

"Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

You could break down, analyze,

and expound forever on any word in that sentence.

Repent, kingdom, Heaven.

But it's the two words at hand

that most reflect the spirit of this season.

In context, it means buckle up,

something new and convulsive is imminent, close in time,

about to happen and things will never be the same.

Like the rippling currents of an ever-changing river,

God is on the move

and that means we must move to make space in our hearts.

Is there room in yours?

As it says in the song, "Let every heart prepare Him room,

let Heaven and nature sing,

Heaven and nature sing."

On the second day,

God separated the heavens from the waters,

but they still sing together in harmony.

The song of a people set free, of a world no longer divided,

of a baptism that symbolizes a bright new beginning.

"Hark!" They sing.

"Glory to the newborn King."

[cheerful enchanted music]

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♪

♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪

♪ Peace on Earth and mercy mild ♪

♪ God and sinners reconciled ♪

♪ Joyful all ye nations rise ♪

♪ Join the triumph of the skies ♪

♪ With angelic hosts proclaim ♪

♪ Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪

♪ Hark The herald angels sing ♪

♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Christ by highest Heaven adored ♪

♪ Christ the everlasting Lord ♪

♪ Late in time, behold Him come ♪

♪ Offspring of a virgin's womb ♪

♪ Veiled in flesh the Godhead see ♪

♪ Hail the incarnate deity ♪

♪ Pleased as man with men to dwell ♪

♪ Jesus, our Emmanuel ♪

♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪

♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪

♪ And the angels they sing, and the heavens they ring ♪

♪ Won't you raise up your voice ♪

♪ Join the song of the King ♪

♪ Singing glory to God and peace on the Earth ♪

♪ Singing out now the song of the King ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace ♪

♪ Hail the Son of Righteousness ♪

♪ Light and life to all He brings ♪

♪ Risen with healing in His wings ♪

♪ Mild He lays His glory by ♪

♪ Born that man no more may die ♪

♪ Born to raise the sons of Earth ♪

♪ Born to give them second birth ♪

♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♪

♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪

♪ The angels they sing, and the heavens they ring ♪

♪ Won't you raise up your voice ♪

♪ Join the song of the King ♪

♪ Singing glory to God and peace on the Earth ♪

♪ Sing it out now, the song of the King ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

[relaxing guitar music]

♪ All my words fall short ♪

♪ I got nothing new ♪

♪ How could I express ♪

♪ All my gratitude ♪

♪ I could sing these songs ♪

♪ As I often do ♪

♪ But every song must end ♪

♪ And you never do ♪

♪ So I throw up my hands ♪

♪ And praise you again and again ♪

♪ 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ And I know it's not much ♪

♪ But I've nothing else fit for a King ♪

♪ Except for a heart singing hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ I've got one response ♪

♪ I've got just one move ♪

♪ With my arm stretched wide ♪

♪ I will worship you ♪

♪ So I throw up my hands ♪

♪ And praise you again and again ♪

♪ 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ And I know it's not much ♪

♪ But I've nothing else fit for a King ♪

♪ Except for a heart singing hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ So come on, my soul ♪

♪ Oh, don't you get shy on me ♪

♪ Lift up your song ♪

♪ 'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs ♪

♪ Get up and praise the Lord ♪

♪ Oh come on, my soul ♪

♪ Oh, don't you get shy on me ♪

♪ Lift up your song ♪

♪ 'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs ♪

♪ Get up and praise the Lord ♪

♪ Come on, my soul ♪

♪ Oh, don't you get shy on me ♪

♪ Lift up your song ♪

♪ 'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs ♪

♪ Get up and praise the Lord ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Praise the Lord ♪

♪ Praise the Lord ♪

♪ Oh, ah, oh ♪

♪ Oh, ah, oh ♪

♪ Praise the Lord ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, yeah ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ So I throw up my hands ♪

♪ Praise you again and again ♪

♪ 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ And I know it's not much ♪

♪ But I've nothing else fit for a King ♪

♪ Except for a heart singing hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

[fast-paced dramatic orchestral music]

[hooves clomping] [travelers chattering]

- We might see Samuel, but it's been so long.

I don't know if he's living in the same home.

- I hope so. You've said so much about him.

- We will see.

We won't have any time to look for him

if he's not of course.

- We'll see.

- Are we out? Not even drop.

[Joseph sighs deeply]

[clicking tongue]

Come on.

[clicking tongue]

[donkey brays]

- Um, Joseph?

- Yes?

- Can you stop please? I'd like to walk for a bit.

- Oh, Mary, why would you want to walk? It's dangerous.

- I'm getting a bit uncomfortable.

Elizabeth actually told me it's good to walk and move

when I feel up to it.

- We won't have any water until I get you to town.

You need your rest.

Ai!

Let me get you more comfortable, huh?

Just...

- Joseph, you don't have to be the only one walking.

Plus we're far enough away from Nazareth.

I don't have to hide my condition anymore.

- Mary, this blanket is stuck.

There is no way that you are comfortable.

- Joseph, I'd like to walk with you. Please.

- I am responsible for you, Mary.

For you, and...

- You protect us.

- Yes.

- I know, I know. I'll let you help me down.

[Joseph laughs cheerfully]

[Joseph sighs deeply]

- All right. You can walk for a few minutes, huh?

But please, not too far. You need to save your strength.

[tongue clicking]

- I actually do need you to help me down.

- Ah. Ah, yeah. Oh yes, sorry.

- Oh!

- Slowly. Slowly.

Watch the baby.

- [Mary] Oh! - Okay. Okay. Okay.

- [Mary] Ah!

- [Joseph] Is it okay?

- Yes. Yes.

Oh!

[tongue clicking]

- Hey. [tongue clicking]

- This feels better.

- [Joseph] Hmm. - Thank you.

Thank you for protecting me.

I don't know that I've said that yet.

- We have a little ways to go yet.

Let's see how tonight goes, and-

- I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about before.

[tongue clicking]

- Oh. Ah!

- I've been meaning to say something this whole journey

and I just, I didn't, and I should have.

- [Joseph] Hmm.

- I should have months ago.

[hooves clomping]

- You don't have to.

- Yes! Yes I do.

You could have gotten all of the bride price

back from my father.

- It was never about the money.

- I know it wasn't,

and I know it's not polite to talk about,

but no one would have blamed you for...

- For what? [tongue clicking]

- You divorcing me publicly.

- Mary, I...

- You could be betrothed to someone

that you don't have to hide

and people wouldn't be gossiping about you

and you could go be registered

without having to drag me on a donkey for five days.

Joseph!

You are a brave man and you are godly.

And I should have said, "Thank you."

[relaxing instrumental music]

- God told me to.

- I know He did.

But you had a choice.

- Ah! I don't believe that I did,

but I'm glad either way.

I wouldn't change a single thing

that has happened since that dream, hmm?

- Neither would I.

- Oh, this all seems impossible, huh?

- Yes! Yes.

But remember what the messenger said to me.

- [Joseph] Hmm?

- Nothing is impossible with God.

- My messenger didn't say that.

That would've been nice, huh?

- Oh!

- [Joseph] Are you feeling better?

- A bit. Yes.

- [Joseph] Okay. Up, up.

- Okay.

Okay. Oh!

Oh!

[somber music]

- We need to move quicker.

You need water and I plan to get settled

for the part where your messenger and my messenger

said the same thing.

"And she will give birth to a Son."

- [Both] "And you shall call His name Jesus."

- Yes, that part.

Come on.

[tongue clicking]

[somber music continues]

[feet scuffing]

[lamb baas]

- Come on. Come on.

[somber music]

[dog barking]

[children chattering]

[lamb baas]

- [Traveler] It's a lovely day today, isn't it?

- How are you?

[group chattering happily]

[somber music continues]

[lamb baas]

[lamb baas]

[somber music continues]

[water splashes]

[lamb baas]

[feet scuffing]

- But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.

Therefore, he shall give them up

until the time when she who is in labor has given birth

and he shall be their peace.

A reading from the scroll of the Prophet Micah.

[crowd chattering]

[crowd chattering]

- Right. I believe that Samuel's house is through here.

I'm not sure how he will respond to your condition,

but he will have water and it will be nice to see him.

[crowd chattering]

- Actually, I don't know if this is it.

It looks so different.

Maybe because there are so many people.

I think if we...

[relaxing somber music]

- Yes?

- We don't have time to look for Samuel.

- No, no. It'll be fine.

I know you wanted to find him.

- I need to get you to the inn, Mary. You need your rest.

Maybe I can find the well so you can drink

and I'll take you straight to the inn, huh?

- Thank you.

[relaxing somber music continues]

- So many people.

[crowd chattering]

[sheep baaing]

- Perfect. No, no blemish. Nothing. Nothing wrong.

See?

- Spotless!

- Good. No blemish.

- This one's good.

- Thank you. Thank you.

[crowd chattering]

[lambs baa]

- Teacher, I have a question about the Messiah.

I have studied Torah every day and-

- A shepherd wants to learn?

- Yes!

Do you believe the Messiah will set us free

from the occupation?

- Yes. He will make a great military leader.

- Are you sure? Because last Shabbat,

the priest read from Prophet Ezekiel,

and he did not say-

- How dare you!

- I'm sorry, teacher. He is obsessed.

- You brought this animal?

I said, "Spotless."

- [Shepherd] Spotless, yes.

- These are for righteous men for the perfect sacrifice.

- Very sorry. Very sorry.

Very sorry.

- You wonder why the Messiah hasn't come.

People like you keeping him away with your stains.

If you come back here without a perfect lamb,

I will banish you all from the marketplace.

[bystander spits]

- Now come, come.

I warned you about this. Are you deaf as well as lame?

- I'm sorry!

- We are not slowing down for you.

You take this runt back up to the hill and try and keep up

or find your own way back.

♪ Ah, ya, ya ♪

[crowd chattering]

[lamb baas]

♪ Ah, ya, ya, ya ♪

♪ Ah, ya, ya ♪

♪ Ah, ya, ya ♪

- Say to those who have an anxious heart,

your God will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness

on them has light shone.

You have multiplied the nation.

You have increased its joy.

They rejoice before you, as with joy at the harvest

as they are glad when they divided the spoil.

For the yoke of his burden and the staff for his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor-

- [Guard] You need to go.

- I want to listen.

- [Guard] No. This is a holy place.

- Please!

- [Guard] You are filthy! Go!

- [Priest] For every boot-

- [Guard] Get out!

- [Priest] In battle tumult

and every garment rolled in blood will be burned

as fuel for the fight.

Strengthen the weak hands.

[relaxing somber music]

[crowd chattering]

[relaxing somber music continues]

[lamb baas]

- Oh, excuse me, friend.

Could you point me to a well in this town?

My wife hasn't had a drink in hours.

- The other end of the square.

- Thank you, brother.

- Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Here.

- Oh, thank you for your kindness.

- [Simon] How far have you come?

- From Galilee. Nazareth.

- Don't say that too loud here.

You know they say nothing good can come from-

- I know what they say about Nazareth.

- Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

Your secret's safe with me.

[crowd chattering]

- Thank you for your kindness.

- My name is Simon.

- Out of my way!

[lamb baas]

- We must go.

- Thank you.

[somber enchanted music]

- Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong."

Fear not.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

with the recompense of God.

He will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened

and the ears of the death unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap like a deer

and the tongue of the mute shall sing for joy.

A reading from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah.

[crowd chattering]

[relaxing enchanted music]

[crowd chattering]

- [Joseph] Then why do you have a line?

Can you can you explain that to me?

I have the papers.

[crowd chattering]

- We have no room.

- [Traveler] Move!

- So this? This is bull dropping here?

I don't like this, okay?

You're lying to me, huh?

- I cannot no matter how much you pay.

No!

- [Joseph] Please, I'm begging you.

[relaxing enchanted music continues]

[crowd chattering]

[somber music]

- Oh God, you are my God.

Earnestly I seek you.

My soul thirsts for you.

- My soul thirsts for you.

My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land.

- Dry and weary land where there is no water.

[somber enchanted music]

[Mary whimpering]

- Mary.

- What did he say?

- [Joseph] Ah, you won't believe it.

- No?

- He said that they are completely full.

The census. The whole town is overrun.

I think it's because...

Ah!

I think it's because he knows that we aren't exactly...

That I can't just give him more money like the others can.

But he insisted that they were full.

I was furious but I kept my calm like I promised.

- Of course.

- Told him about our situation

but that didn't make a difference either.

He just said that there was nothing.

Finally, his wife said that if we wanted

we could try camping in the stable.

They promised us water and blankets to help,

even lamb's clothes for the baby.

And they promised that they would be clean.

But I can go look for Samuel.

If he is living in the same home, then he will have room.

- I'm sorry. I slowed us down. I should have stayed on.

- [Joseph] Oh no, Mary, it's not your fault.

- Joseph.

We can't keep looking.

[somber guitar music]

- Have the pains started?

- He is coming.

- Aye!

Sorry. He said there was nothing.

- I know. I know.

- All right. All right.

We will make it work, hmm?

- Yes. Yes. We will make it work. We will make it work.

- We will make it work.

[crickets chirping]

- Woman!

- Yes, Lazarus?

- I'm sorry to wake you but-

- No, I was just resting my eyes.

- Are you feeling well enough to see her?

- She's here?

Ah, what are you waiting for?

- Shalom.

- Oh!

How did they get you here?

- Our former zealot had ideas and old friends

to get me to Tishka's for the last leg.

I was safe.

- [Lazarus] Do you need anything else?

- Where is he now?

- Persia, Lebanon, Armenia, all over the place.

- I will just leave you to it

and let me know if you need anything.

- Thank you.

I came as soon as I heard.

- It's just a fever. I'll be fine.

I just had something to share with you.

But first, anything to report about our boys?

- I don't want...

Let's just talk about what you brought me here for.

- I want to know, Mary.

I pray for them every day.

I want to know what to pray for.

- They're preaching everywhere and the church is growing

and the deaths of Big James and Nathaniel

seem to have only emboldened everyone,

especially Peter.

- Of course.

[crickets chirping]

- And it is getting more difficult.

It's clear they want us all dead.

You can pray especially for Andrew in Greece.

They say he will be arrested at any moment.

- I will pray in earnest.

Do you know where Luke is?

- Yes. He is in Rome with Paul.

- Can you reach him?

- If necessary. Of course. Why?

- He's been gathering his record of the stories

and we spoke but I didn't tell him everything.

[lamb baas]

[lamb baas]

- Ah, there is enough wood here.

I can put something together for you.

- There's no time. They're coming a bit faster now.

- All right, we can do this.

Try to see if you can find a spot to sit on this blanket

and I'll put something together for you and clean up, huh?

- Okay. - Okay.

- He needs a place to sleep.

- What?

- When he gets here, he needs a place to lie down.

You make my bed. I'll make his.

- Already a mother, huh?

[lamb baas]

[shovel scraping]

Okay.

[somber music]

[shovel scraping]

♪ Hmm, hmm, hmm ♪

♪ Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm ♪

[sheep baaing]

- This way. Hut, hut, hut, hut, hut!

[sheep baaing]

[shepherds laugh cheerfully]

- Yes, well, next time I will wipe my hands with his robe.

- Oh!

- He would faint.

- A Pharisee is so cheap when he writes his will,

he names himself as the heir! [laughs]

- And then he still doesn't get much. [laughs]

- No!

[sheep baaing]

- Ah!

[sheep baaing]

- Oh! Finally he's back!

- Hello, Simon.

- [Shepherd] Stay with the sheep!

- He is useless. Why do you keep him around?

- [Shepherd] He is a good boy.

- Ah! You want some dinner?

- [Shepherd] Finally.

- Aaron made dinner tonight so nothing is cooked.

- Yes, I see. [laughs]

- The food is fine.

It's my grandmother's recipe, so leave it alone.

- Yeah, then that is why your grandfather left.

[group laughs cheerfully]

[lamb baas]

[shepherds chatter cheerfully]

- [Shepherd] Again and again!

- [Shepherd] They take whatever they want.

- Oh, I wish that woman wouldn't have left the well.

- No, she was very beautiful.

- [Shepherd] Very pretty. Very pretty.

- Can I have my dinner now?

- Not with us. No. Your place is over there.

- After what happened this morning,

you sleep with the sheep tonight.

- [Shepherd] And pay attention this time!

- And watch out for wolves.

- Watch out for the Pharisee. He might come after you.

- [Shepherd] A Roman took another sheep yesterday.

- [Shepherd] Simon! They're talking about the Romans again.

- [Shepherd] But they cook it right in front of me.

[shepherds chatter cheerfully]

- [Shepherd] You're lucky.

You're lucky you're not part of this conversation.

About Romans again and again.

[shepherds chattering]

- [Shepherd] Let's talk about something else.

[somber pulsing music]

♪ Hmm, hmm ♪

[sheep baaing]

[Mary groaning and whimpering]

♪ Ah, ah ♪

- My soul magnifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

For He has looked upon the humble estate of His servant.

- What is that?

- What?

- What are you saying?

- Oh, nothing.

- Is it a song of David?

We could use one right about now.

- No, sorry. It's just something to myself.

- A poem you created?

- Yes, but I...

- [Joseph] When?

- Several months ago.

- I would love to hear it.

[crickets chirping]

[Simon grunting]

[water splashing]

[fire crackling] [sheep baaing]

[crickets chirping]

[Simon grunting]

[wind blowing fiercely]

[enchanted music]

[wind blowing fiercely]

- Mary?

- Ah! Ah!

[somber enchanted music]

- Are you seeing this? Mary?

Mary?

[water splashes] [Mary gasps]

- It's time!

- Oh! Come. I've got you. Come sit.

- Should we call for help? You've never done this before.

Maybe the wife could come and help.

- No, there isn't any time. We've got this.

- No! No! No! I don't want you to see me like this!

- [Joseph] Slow, slow, slow, slow.

- Ah! Oh!

[enchanted music] [mysterious whispering]

♪ Ah ♪

- Mary, look at me.

- No, no, no! I can wait. I just, go get someone.

- Don't look over there, Mary. Look at me.

We are not alone.

- I'm so scared.

- Mary, remember what your messenger said.

The first thing your messenger said.

It was the same thing my messenger said to me.

Remember?

- Don't be afraid.

- Don't be afraid.

- I love you.

- I love you.

- Thank you for taking care of me. God gave you to me.

- He has been our help.

And in the shadow of His wings, we will sing for joy,

a song of David.

- Oh!

- Can I hear yours now?

- Not now. Oh!

- [Joseph] Oh, I know, I know.

- Oh!

- It is time, yes?

- Yes. Yes.

- [Joseph] Okay. It is time.

[Mary groaning]

♪ Ah, ah ♪

- [Joseph] It's okay. I've got you.

[crickets chirping]

- I told Luke about the journey to Bethlehem

and about how we couldn't get a room at the inn,

but I didn't tell him about my son.

- Your son?

- When I went to see Cousin Elizabeth,

when she was pregnant with John,

she cried out when she saw me.

I told Luke about this,

how she was overwhelmed for the both of us,

and she called me the mother of her Lord.

And we were laughing and crying together

and it was all too much,

and words of praise just burst out of me.

- Please tell me I'm about to hear them.

- You are going to write them down and deliver them to Luke.

- Oh.

[enchanted music] [wind blowing fiercely]

♪ Ah ♪

[Shepherds gasping and panting]

[Simon gasping and panting]

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

[shepherds laughing cheerfully]

- The materials are here.

I trust you to get them right

and to keep it safe and to get it to Luke.

[relaxing harp music]

I've kept it all to myself.

As you know, I like to treasure things in my heart.

I was shy

and it felt personal between God and me,

but I wish I would've shared it with Joseph.

And people must know

these felt like God's words as much as my own.

I can't explain it, but they did.

People must know.

- I'm ready.

- My soul magnifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

For behold

from now on generations will call me blessed.

And He who is mighty has done great things for me

and holy is His name.

[pulsing harp music]

And His mercy is for those who fear Him,

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm.

He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the mighty from their throne

and exalted those of humble estate.

He has filled the hungry with good things

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel

in remembrance of His mercy.

As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham,

and to his offspring forever.

♪ Ah ♪ [relaxing dramatic music]

♪ Ah ♪

[baby crying]

♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Ah ♪

[relaxing dramatic music continues]

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

[relaxing harp music]

[Joseph laughs cheerfully]

- Ah!

That's amazing.

It is like the Song of Hannah, but even more beautiful.

[somber enchanted music]

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

♪ Ah, ah ♪

[somber enchanted music continues]

♪ Ah, ah, oh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, oh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, oh ♪

♪ Ah, oh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, oh ♪

[somber enchanted music continues]

- Look at him. So beautiful.

- [Aaron] We must tell someone.

- [Shepherd] No, we must tell everyone.

- [Aaron] Yes, we must tell everyone.

- Everyone. Yes. Yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

- [Aaron] Thank you. Thank you.

- We've waited for this for so long, so long.

Thank you.

- [Mary] His arm.

[baby whimpering]

His arm. - [Joseph] His arm?

- His arm.

- [Joseph] Yes, his arm.

- Oh, it's okay.

[somber enchanted music continues]

What will you name him?

- Jesus.

- We will name him Jesus.

- I must go.

People must know.

People must know.

- People must know.

[somber enchanted music continues]

[baby whimpering]

- Are you better? Is this comfortable?

- Yes. Thank you.

- Are you still in pain?

- Yes, but the blanket underneath is helping.

[Joseph laughs cheerfully]

- Oh! I don't know how you did that.

I feel like my heart is going to explode.

- Oh, don't make me laugh. It hurts to laugh.

[crickets chirping]

[lamb baas]

He's so small.

- Smaller than I expected.

- I don't know what I expected but it wasn't any of this.

- Mm. No. From the beginning of it all.

So your messenger said that he would be called,

"Holy, the Son of God."

The prophecy mentions Emmanuel.

Are we going to stick with Jesus?

- I think we should.

- Probably best, huh?

- Mm-hmm.

He needs to sleep.

- You both do. Put him in the manger.

It's a better bed than the one I made for you.

[crickets chirping]

[relaxing enchanted music]

[baby whimpers]

- There's something else I want you to tell Luke.

I want you to tell him about the swaddling clothes.

- You want him to write about it?

- People must know.

I want to honor the help we received from the innkeeper,

but I also think it's lovely that we used the same cloths

they used to wrap newborn lambs.

I wonder if God gave us that as a sign.

- It is lovely.

- And there's something else.

Go get that box over there by the window.

[crickets chirping]

[footsteps scuffing]

Open it. What's inside is yours.

I kept them.

- Oh!

- They meant so much to me I just couldn't leave them.

And now they're yours.

- Mother!

- There's a rip here

from where we gave a piece to one of the shepherds

to dress his wound.

- Did you tell Luke about the shepherds? I love that part.

- Of course.

- I can't. I can't. This is too...

- You can and you will.

Let this be a reminder of where all this began

and how He was one of us for a time.

- Thank you.

- I have loved you like a daughter

since I met you at the wedding,

and you have done God's work.

- I do miss Him.

And it seems like you will get to see Him before I do.

- Ssh, child. This is not the end.

- I will get this to Luke right away.

[paper rustling]

Before anything happens to me.

To any of us.

- Wait.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and bring you peace.

- And also to you.

- Shalom.

- Shalom.

[crickets chirping]

[enchanted mysterious music]

[door creaks]

- Mary of Magdala.

- It's good to see you, Luke.

- What are you doing here? It's not safe.

I could have arranged for people.

- You've been recording an account of Jesus's birth, yes?

- Oh, yes. I have begun collecting historical accounts.

- I've just been to see Mother Mary in a secure location.

- Yes?

I have completed my writing of her account.

Did she have something to add?

[somber victorious music]

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

- [Narrator] For to us a child is born.

To us a Son is given.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder

and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and of peace,

there will be no end.

To establish it and to uphold it with justice

and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Eh, eh, eh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Eh, eh, eh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

♪ Eh, eh, eh ♪

♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪

- You were right. You were right all along.

- You!

I told you not to come back here.

So where is it?

Have you found a spotless lamb for sacrifice?

[somber dramatic music]

[enchanted instrumental music]

♪ O holy night ♪

♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪

♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

♪ A thrill of hope ♪

♪ the weary world rejoices ♪

♪ For yonder breaks ♪

♪ a new and glorious morn ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Noel ♪

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Noel ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[enchanted instrumental music continues]

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Chains shall He break ♪

♪ for the slave is our brother ♪

♪ And in His name ♪

♪ all oppression shall cease ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Christ is the Lord ♪

♪ Oh praise His name forever ♪

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Noel ♪

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Noel ♪

♪ Noel ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[singing in foreign language]

[enchanted instrumental music continues]

- One way or another, every river eventually meets the sea.

The Jordan River begins at the base of Mount Herman

where the transfiguration took place,

then continues down into the Sea of Galilee

where Jesus walked on water,

told you we'd get there,

empties out from the Galilee to pass by Samaria

where Christ first publicly revealed

His identity as Messiah to the woman at the well,

and then carries on through Judea

where John baptized Jesus in its waters.

And at last meets its final destination here, the Dead Sea.

You ever hear of someone hitting rock bottom?

Well, technically this is it.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth

at 1,296 feet below sea level.

It's also one of the saltiest bodies of water on the planet

at 34% salinity.

For perspective,

the salinity of the Great Salt Lake of Utah is 14%

and the ocean itself is 3.5%.

So yeah, she's salty.

But why call it dead

when so many events in the life of Christ, the Living God,

took place in or along its tributary, the Jordan?

How can so much life flow into death?

The name dead comes from the fact that

no living plants or creatures

can survive in its briny waters.

And yet while nothing can live in the Dead Sea,

ever since biblical times, it has been a famed destination

for restoration and wellness.

Its mineral properties of magnesium, sodium and bromide

are known to soothe the pain of arthritis,

reduce inflammation, and promote healthy blood circulation.

Its mud can treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

Even Cleopatra used it as part of her beauty regimen.

Think of all the paradoxes.

It's called the Dead Sea

but you literally can't become dead by drowning in it

because the density of salination creates natural buoyancy

that forces your body to the surface and you float.

This place is named after death itself

and yet people come here to experience

life-enhancing powers of healing.

Echoes of Christ are everywhere.

This is the world's rock bottom.

And what could be a lower entry into society

than an infant taking His first breath

in a smelly hovel meant to house beasts of burden?

And yet He was royalty of the highest elevation.

Salt in an open wound is a searing pain,

but ultimately cleanses it.

Jesus grew up into a man

who suffered searing pain on the cross,

which ultimately led to the cleansing of our sins.

The Dead Sea is Christmas,

a roiling ocean of contradictions.

Maybe you've felt it too.

The bright festivities of the season bring you joy,

existing side by side with the pang of sorrow

for a loved one who won't be there this year

for the first time, or the 50th.

Resounding carols blast from speakers in every retail store,

radio station and church service

but they feel dissonant, out of step,

with a heaviness in your spirit you can't name, or you can.

Either way it hurts.

Flip to one channel and choirs are belting out,

"Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

and peace on Earth, goodwill to men."

Flip to the next channel and find news that

there is no peace on Earth,

no sign of goodwill among mankind.

This is what it means to be alive,

to stand in the middle of the Jordan

between exile and the Promise Land.

To feel the sting of Dead Sea salt

in the open wound of your soul and of society,

and yet have the courage to believe it all coexists

with the capacity for shalom.

Some would say Christmas marks the beginning of the end.

The beginning of Jesus' life,

which would extend beyond death

in a redemptive arc that ends with a world baptized

by the Shekinah glory and made whole,

a new kingdom where the Prophet Ezekiel foretold that

this Dead Sea will be turned to fresh water,

teeming with every kind of colorful marine life

that darts and flutters and leaps amid its waves.

And in John's revelation,

he writes that an angel showed him

the river of the water of life,

bright as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

There is water everywhere in the new heavens

and the new Earth.

Rivers that do not signify boundaries or borders

or separation or alienation.

Seas that do not represent death or drowning

or sunken ships.

Wherever you are this Christmas,

whether in the fresh pool

of your own version of a Promise Land

or caught in the riptide of salt tears

that won't stop falling from your eyes,

or somewhere in between,

the Living Christ who walked along these very banks

sees you.

That He who was the Word made flesh

in the final sentences of that Holy Word promises,

"Surely I am coming soon."

That no matter what it looks like now,

there will be peace in you and around you, and mercy mild.

God and sinners reconciled.

[relaxing upbeat music]

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Joy to the world, the Lord is come ♪

♪ Let Earth receive her King ♪

♪ Let every heart prepare Him room ♪

♪ And Heaven and nature sing ♪

♪ And Heaven and nature sing ♪

♪ And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing ♪

- Yeah!

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Oh, sing ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Joy to the world, ♪

♪ the Savior reigns ♪

♪ Let men their songs employ ♪

♪ Their songs employ ♪

♪ While fields and floods ♪

♪ Rocks, hills and plains ♪

♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪

♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪

♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪

♪ Repeat the sounding joy ♪

♪ Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Oh, we will sing ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ He rules the world with truth and grace ♪

♪ And makes the nations prove ♪

♪ The glories of His righteousness ♪

♪ And wonders of His love ♪

♪ And wonders of His love ♪

♪ And wonders of His love ♪

♪ And wonders, wonders of His love ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ We'll sing it, we'll sing it ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Joyful, joyful, we adore thee ♪

♪ God of glory, Lord of love ♪

♪ Hearts unfold like flowers before thee ♪

♪ Opening to the Sun above ♪

♪ Oh, joy to the world ♪

♪ Joyful, joyful, we adore thee ♪

♪ God of glory, Lord of love ♪ ♪ There is no one like you ♪ ♪

♪ Hearts unfold like flowers before thee ♪

♪ Opening to the Sun above ♪

♪ We will sing, sing, sing ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

[crowd cheers and applauds]

[relaxing enchanted music]

♪ O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪

♪ And ransom captive Israel ♪

♪ That mourns ♪

♪ in lonely exile here ♪

♪ Until the Son of God appear ♪

♪ Rejoice ♪

♪ Rejoice ♪

♪ Emmanuel ♪

♪ Shall come to thee ♪

♪ O Israel ♪

[upbeat enchanted music]

♪ O come, thou rod of ♪

♪ Jesse free ♪

♪ Thine own from Satan's tyranny ♪

♪ From depths of Hell ♪

♪ Thy people save ♪

♪ And give them victory ♪

♪ O'er the grave ♪

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Emmanuel ♪

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Israel ♪

[upbeat enchanted music continues]

♪ Yi, yi, yi, yi, yi ♪

♪ O come, thou key ♪

♪ of David come ♪

♪ And open wide ♪

♪ our heavenly home ♪

♪ Make safe the way ♪

♪ that leads on high ♪

♪ And close the path ♪

♪ to misery ♪

[speaking in Hebrew]

[singing in Hebrew]

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Emmanuel ♪

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Israel ♪

[speaking in Hebrew]

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Emmanuel ♪

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Israel ♪

[singing in Hebrew]

♪ Israel ♪

♪ Has come to you, ♪

♪ O Israel ♪

[upbeat enchanted music continues]

♪ Oh, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi ♪

♪ Yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi ♪

♪ Yi, yi, yi, yi, yi, yi ♪