Transcripts Convention 2024: Declare the Good News!

Transcript: The Good News According to Jesus Episode 1 Part 2
[The true light of the world part 2 Sunlight peaks out of a line of clouds over a valley plain with scattered trees]
Presenter: Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered. This first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
[Mary steps out her front door, heavily pregnant. Close by, Joseph adjusts the saddle of a loaded donkey. Cradling her belly, she looks at Joseph with a worried frown. He nods at her reassuringly. Her shoulders relax as she smiles at him. They slowly begin walking away from the house]
And all the people went to be registered. Each one to his own city.
[On the road, amid other travellers, he walks beside her as she rides side saddle on the donkey]
Of course, Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea.
[Pink clouds fill the sky over a hillside thick with trees. Joseph and Mary come to a halt]
To David's city, which is called Bethlehem.
[They see the city on a nearby hill]
Because of his being a member of the house and family of David.
[Still on the donkey, Mary holds herself upright, exhausted]
He went to get registered with Mary, who had been given him in marriage as promised, and who was soon to give birth.
[Nighttime, they walked down a narrow street, lit with lanterns. Now on foot, Joseph carries their bags as he supports Mary with his arm. They take small steps toward a house on the street]
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
[Mary braces herself on a nearby wall as Joseph hurries to the front door. With one hand on her belly, she doubles over. Squeezing her eyes shut, she grimaces in pain. A man with a white beard answers the door. Joseph pleads with him. The man gestures to his right. Joseph looks in that direction. His anxious gaze falls on an enclosed stable. He shifts his eyes to Mary as she grips the wall in agony. Joseph quickly moves to her side, grasping her by the arm. Taking a lantern off the wall, he leads her into the stable. Holding up the light, he scans his surroundings. To his left, donkeys feed on straw. To his right, an empty stall with a manger. With one arm around her waist, he gently guides her to a wall on their right. She leans heavily on it as he hangs the lantern. He takes a white, tasselled cloth from around his neck and spreads it on the ground. Dropping their bags, he rushes back to her. His wide, worried eyes focus on her face, contorted with pain. He gingerly leads her to the outspread cloth. With both hands on her waist, he helps lower her to the ground. With his expression full of anxious concerned, he watches the tears stream down her face. She grasps his hand tightly. Outside the stable, the street lies empty. Above the rooftops, the night sky glitters with stars over the still city. Back in the stable, Mary leans against a pile of burlap sacks her face glistens with sweat and tears]
and she gave birth to her son the firstborn
[She beams as Joseph lays the baby in her arms. Crouching beside her Joseph smiles at them his eyes crinkling. The newborn grabs hold of her finger then she kisses his tiny hand. Gazing at Joseph, she lets out a sigh of relief. The new parents exchange radiant smiles as they cuddle their baby boy]
And she wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the lodging place.
[In a field, a campfire enclosed with stones crackles. Around the fire, four shepherds sleep while another keeps watch]
There were also in the same region shepherds living out of doors.
[The watchman looks over at the sheep grazing]
and keeping watch in the night over their flocks.
[A bright It shines on the watchman's face and wakes up the other shepherds]
Suddenly, Jehovah's angels stood before them, and Jehovah's glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful.
[They sit up startled]
Angel: Do not be afraid.
[The angel smiles joyfully]
For look, I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have. For today There was born to you in David City a savior who is Christ, The Lord
[the shepherds look at each other wide-eyed]
and this is a sign for you. You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger
Presenter: Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army.
[The shepherds scrambled to their feet]
praising God.
Army of Angels: Glory in the Heights above to God, and on earth peace among men of goodwill
[From the heavens, a brilliant light shines on the shepherds. Above them, myriads of angels stand majestically in tiered rows on top of clouds. As the light fades away, the shepherds keep looking into the sky, grinning in astonishment]
Presenter: So, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another,
Shepherd: Let us by your means go over to Bethlehem and see what has in place, which Jehovah has made known to us.
[Nodding at each other, the shepherds pick up their staffs and bags and depart. In the stable, Mary holds the hand of her baby, wrapped in white cloths and placed in the manger. Joseph sits beside them. As the five shepherds enter the stable, Mary puts on her head covering]
And they went quickly and found Mary, as well as Joseph and the infant lying in the manger.
[The shepherds approach slowly with wide smiles. The parents look at each other, then at their baby. Joseph nods for the shepherds to come closer. They draw near to him and Mary. The two shepherds in the front of the group crouch down so all can see the baby. Smiling, they all peer at the infant, their expressions full of awe]
When they saw this, they made known the message that they had been told concerning this young child.
[Joseph turns from the shepherds to Mary, wide-eyed. Mary looks down at her newborn son with raised eyebrows]
And all who heard were astonished at what the shepherds told him.
[Joseph notices the man with the white beard enter the stable with his wife. As they observe the scene, the wife puts her hand on her heart. Another couple enters the stable behind them]
but Mary began to preserve all these sayings, drawing conclusions in her heart.
[In the manger, the baby's face peeks out of a bundle of cloth wrappings. Looking up at his mother, he yawns, then smacks his lips. Mary gazes pensively from her son to the ground, then back to the shepherds. One shepherd gestures heavenward as they continue talking]
Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
[Daytime, a clear sky over a hilly countryside, dense with trees and shrubs]
After eight days,
[outside of a home]
When it was time to circumcise him
[Two shepherd's staffs lean against the wall beside the front door]
He was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
[Inside a man lays Jesus into Joseph's arms. Two of the shepherds cheerfully chat with Mary. She smiles sweetly at her husband holding their baby. Sunlight shines on Joseph as he watches Jesus fall asleep. On a street in Jerusalem]
also, when the time came for purifying them according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah
[Joseph and Mary buy two pigeons]
just as it is written in Jehovah's law every firstborn male must be called holy to Jehovah
[they continue down the busy street]
And they offered a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of Jehovah. A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons
[nearby an elderly man sits on a bench]
and look there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon and this man was righteous and devout waiting for Israel's consolation
[He observes the passersby]
and Holy Spirit was upon him.
[The elderly man, Simeon, sees Joseph and Mary. She holds Jesus, swaddled in a white blanket. Squinting, Simeon watches them walk by. They turn down an alley, disappearing from his view]
Furthermore, it had been divinely revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of Jehovah.
[As he looks down in deep thought, his mouth curves into a smile. Looking up again, he stands and walks to the opening of the alley. He catches sight of them as they turn a corner. Shaking his head in disbelief, he follows them. Now in the temple courtyard, he shuffles behind the young couple at a short distance]
under the power of the Spirit, he now came into the temple.
[He stops walking when he sees Joseph and Mary pause. Mary takes out a cloth and wipes the baby's mouth. Simeon slowly approaches them]
And as the parents brought the young child Jesus in to do for him according to the customary practice of the Lord,
[they exchanged nods and greeting, then Simeon motions to hold the baby]
He took the child into his arms.
[He holds Jesus in the crook of his left arm, gazing into the baby's face, he puts his right hand on his heart. Shaking his head in awe, he looks heavenward]
And praised God.
Simeon: Now, sovereign Lord, you are letting your slave go in peace, according to your declaration because my eyes have seen your means of salvation that you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for removing the veil from the nations and a glory of your people Israel.
[Joseph and Mary watch him intently. Simeon's gaze returns to the baby's face]
Presenter: And the child's father and mother continued wondering at the things being spoken about him. Also, Simeon blessed them.
[The parents look at each other and smile]
and said to Mary the child's mother
Simeon: Look this child is appointed for the falling and the rising again of many in Israel and for a sign to be spoken against
[He looks down with a slight frown Then back at Mary]
Yes, a long sword will be run through you
[She swallows anxiously]
in order that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed
[Joseph glances at Mary with a sombre expression. She looks down thoughtfully her brows knitted together. Simeon takes one last look at Jesus, then hands the baby back to his mother. Jesus gazes up at Mary, with one tiny hand clutching his white blanket. Simeon and Mary exchange solemn expressions]
Presenter: Now there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of Asher's tribe.
[Nearby, elderly Anna sits on stone steps]
This woman was well along in years.
[She sees Joseph and Mary talking with Simeon]
and had lived with her husband for seven years after they were married, and she was a widow now 84 years old.
[Squinting she leans forward]
She was never missing from the temple rendering sacred service night and day with fasting and supplications.
[Joseph, Mary, and Simeon, walk in her direction. She approaches them]
In that very hour, she came near.
[She asks Mary to hold the baby. Anna grins widely as Mary lays Jesus in her arms. With a warm smile, Mary watches elderly Anna rock her son. Anna beckons for people to come near, pointing at Jesus]
And began giving thanks to God and speaking about the child to all who were waiting for Jerusalem's deliverance.
[A large group of people gather around Anna in the temple courtyard. One woman with a wide smile cranes her neck to see the baby. Another claps her hands looking over Mary's shoulder. Still holding Jesus, Anna beams at Mary. With a half smile, Mary looks down, then up at Joseph's reassuring eyes. Jesus rests in Anna's arms, grasping the front of her tunic. At night, a small caravan in a vast desert]
After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the King,
[Moonlight cast shadows in the sand of four men riding camels]
Look, astrologers from the east came to Jerusalem.
[They lumber along, laden with goods]
saying, "Where is the one born king of the Jews?" For we saw his star when we were in the east, and we have come to do obeisance to him.
[In the starry sky above them, one star shines the brightest. Daytime in Herod’s throne room]
At hearing this, King Herod was agitated.
[He sits on his throne wearing a purple robe and holding upright a long spear. Looking down, he scowls]
And all Jerusalem with him.
[Priests with beards and head covering stand before him. More men line the edge of the room]
On gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
[The priest in the front of the group holds a sceptre. As he looks over his shoulder, another priest nods at him. Turning back to Herod, he takes a deep breath]
Priest: In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is how it has been written through the prophet, and you, O Bethlehem of the land of Judah, are by no means the most insignificant city among the governors of Judah.
[Herod breathes deeply, seething with anger. He lowers his eyes away from the priest]
For out of you will come a governing one who will shepherd my people, Israel.
[Slowly raising his head, Herod fixes the priest with a piercing gaze. The priest's eyes dart around nervously. The other men in the room exchange tense glances. With a slight motion of his hand, Herod summons a waiting messenger. He scurries near and crouches beside Herod's throne, shielding his mouth with his hand. Herod whispers to the messenger. The messenger nods then hurries out of the room. With a cold stare, Herod faces the priest]
Then, Herod secretly summoned the astrologers.
[At night in the throne room]
and carefully ascertain from them the time of the stars appearing.
[The messenger leads in the astrologers]
When sending them to Bethlehem, he said,
King Herod: Go, make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found him, report back to me, so that I too may go and do obeisance to him.
[Herod smiles cunningly at them. In the front of the group, a blue-eyed astrologer nods uneasily. They bow to Herod. The blue-eyed man sneaks another glance at him, then they depart. Herod swallows, then tightens his lips into a thin line. In the night sky, the star shines]
Presenter: After they had heard the king, they went their way.
[It slowly begins to descend]
And look, the star they had seen when they were in the east went ahead of them.
[From a nearby hill, the caravan watches the star lower over Bethlehem]
until it came to a stop above where the young child was.
[It illuminates a single house]
On seeing the star, they rejoiced with great joy.
[With wide grins, two astrologers embrace each other. Another looks heavenward, his arms outstretched. Light from the star shines on the front of Joseph and Mary's house. Inside, Joseph and Mary sit on the floor close together. Mary smiles as she bounces Jesus, now a toddler, on her lap. Startled, they both look at the door, then at each other, Mary puts on her head covering as Joseph stands and moves toward the door. He cautiously opens it, then looks back at Mary with mild alarm. The blue-eyed astrologer enters first, all four wear loose pants and billowy cloaks]
And when they went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother and falling down
[their foreheads touch the floor]
they did obeisance to him
[Joseph quickly returns to Mary's side wide-eyed. The blue-eyed astrologer raises his head and looks intently at Jesus. He turns to his fellow traveller who hands him a small ivory colored box]
They also opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
[From the box full of coins, he displays two fistfuls]
Gold.
[Another man hands him a leather pouch after kissing it]
And frankincense.
[He lays out pieces of amber-colored resin from the pouch]
And myrrh.
[The third man gives him another leather pouch, which he adds to the pile of gifts. Mary looks at them, holding Jesus close. Still on their knees, the awestruck astrologers bow their heads again]
However.
[Camel hoof’s tramp across sand]
because they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way
[by night the caravan slides along the desert floor, dark mountains rise in the distance]
after they had departed
[Nighttime at Joseph and Mary's house]
Look Jehovah's angel appeared to Joseph in a dream.
Angel: Get up. Take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt and stay there until I give you word.
[Joseph stirs in his sleep]
For Herod is about to search for the young child.
[In his dream, a soldier draws a sword]
to kill him.
[Joseph opens his eyes and sits up, breathing heavily. He looks over at Mary, still asleep. Throwing off a blanket, he hurriedly rises to his feet. Groggy from sleep, Mary sits up. Joseph turns from packing their belongings and looks at Mary]
Jospeh: We need to go.
[With a worried frown, her gaze falls, then shifts to Jesus. He looks up at her innocently. She quickly picks him up and stands. Joseph gathers the astrologers' gifts, his tunic, and their bags]
So, Joseph got up and by night took along the young child and the child's mother and went into Egypt.
[Leaving the house, Joseph leads their loaded donkey]
He stayed there until the death of Herod.
[Mary carries Jesus]
This fulfilled what was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet,
saying, "Out of Egypt, I called my son."
[Herod sits on his throne with his head down and his elbows on his knees. Facing him, a group of soldiers stand at attention. His messenger appears in the open doorway. Herod and the messenger lock eyes]
Then Herod,
[The messenger looks down]
Seeing that he had been outwitted by the astrologers, flew into a great rage.
Herod: No! No!
[The soldiers shift their weight uneasily as they watch Herod's reaction. Herod's face contorts with anger, then transforms into an evil smile]
Presenter: and he sent out
[he looks at the soldiers]
and had all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its districts killed
[two soldiers exchange tense glances]
from two years of age and under
[with the flick of his hand Herod dismisses them]
according to the time that he had carefully ascertained from the astrologers
[the commander bows then departs his mustard yellow cape billowing behind him. The other soldiers follow him out. Herod rises from his throne as he watches them leave. Inside a home, a woman holds her baby boy. The commander bursts into the house. He draws his sword and strides toward her. She flees with the baby. Hundreds of birds take flight out of the leafy branches of a tree]
Then was fulfilled what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet who said A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and much wailing.
[Dark clouds loom over Bethlehem]
It was Rachel weeping for her children, and she was unwilling to take comfort because they are no more
[The scene fades to black. An aerial view of expansive green crops with scattered palm trees]
When Herod had died look Jehovah's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
Angel: Get up. Take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. For those who were seeking the life of the young child are dead.
[On a tree-lined path, Joseph leads the donkey while Mary carries Jesus. They continue traveling along a rocky coastline. Waves break against the shore]
Presenter: So, he got up and took the young child and the child's mother and entered into the land of Israel.
[They journey away from the coast and through grassy meadows. The gray sky above them turns pink as dusk falls. They approach a group of fellow travellers sitting around a campfire. One man stands and gestures for Joseph and Mary to join them. Now nighttime, the firelight illuminates the travellers around it. With his wife beside him, the hospitable man chats with Joseph and Mary]
but hearing that Archelaus ruled Judea instead of his father Herod,
[Mary looks anxiously at Joseph, then holds her little son even closer]
He was afraid to go there.
[Joseph stares pensively into the fire. Daytime, Mary and Joseph smile and nod to the other travellers as they part ways]
Moreover, being given divine warning in a dream, he withdrew into the territory of Galilee.
[An overhead view of a hilly landscape blanketed with dark green trees. In Nazareth, Mary's parents work outside their home. Her mother looks up from a mortar and pestle. They see Joseph and Mary come around a corner. Mary's mother jumps to her feet and runs to Mary. Mother and daughter embrace tightly with Mary holding Jesus]
And he came and settled in a city named Nazareth.
[Mary's father hugs Joseph]
in order to fulfil what was spoken through the prophets
[then embraces Mary and the baby]
He will be called a Nazarene
[Scenes of Joseph and Mary training Jesus as a little boy. Mary sits with him as he practices writing on a tablet, both parents grasp Jesus’ little hands as they bow their heads in prayer, Jesus furrows his brow in concentration as Joseph prays. Nighttime on their rooftop, Joseph points at the stars as Jesus energetically nods. Jesus looks up at Joseph attentively. As Joseph continues instructing, Jesus' face lights up with a wide, toothy grin. In Joseph's carpentry shop, he stands at a worktable, wiping a yoke with a cloth. Mary holds Jesus' hand as he toddles down a few steps to the open front of the shop. Joseph turns from his work. She gently nudges Jesus toward Joseph. Crouching down, Joseph opens his arms and picks him up. Mary smiles sweetly as she watches them. Joseph talks to Jesus as he holds him on his right hip. He walks around the worktable, showing Jesus a set of chisels and the yoke, he made. Scenes of Joseph training Jesus at the worktable as the years pass. As a little boy. As a child. As a preteen. Jesus laughs, then looks over at Joseph with admiration. He watches Joseph demonstrate using a chisel and mallet. On the narrow street to the synagogue, Joseph and Mary, walk with their seven young children. Mary holds one son by the hand and a baby in her arms. During the assembly, the speaker reads from a scroll. Jesus listens attentively as Mary sneaks a glance at him. Amid the attendees, the family sits together on step benches]
Now his parents were accustomed to go from year to year to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.
[On the road, Joseph and Mary travel on foot with their children and Mary's parents. They pass a field of tall green grass, then a flock of sheep and goats on a rocky hillside. The sun peeks out of a gray cloudy sky. Now in the crowded temple courtyard, Joseph and Mary's family walk barefoot through a colonnade]
and when he was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival
[Jesus stops to admire the entrance of the holy temple visible through the columns as his gaze lingers, he smiles then hurries to catch up to his family. At night, Joseph’s family sits around a table with a roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter greens. The children eagerly raise their hands as their father leads them in a discussion. Mary smiles as Joseph calls on their daughter wearing braids and a blue headband. Jesus chuckles as he listens to his younger siblings. Daytime on the road from Jerusalem]
When the days of the festival were over, and they were returning. The boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem.
[A stream of people exits the city. At night in a forest clearing]
and his parents did not notice it.
[Groups of travellers sit around campfires. At one of them, Mary's parents chat with Joseph]
assuming that he was in the group traveling together. They went a day's journey.
[On the other side of their fire, Mary smiles holding her baby. Her smile fades as she looks over her shoulder, scanning the groups of travellers and camps nearby. First to her right, then to her left. She and Joseph approach several groups. From behind, Mary taps one preteen boy on the shoulder]
And then begin to search for him.
[He looks up at her in surprise]
Among the relatives and acquaintances.
[Hurrying through tall grass, Joseph and Mary circle back to her parents. She gives the baby to her mother. With his brow furrowed deeply, Joseph nods at Mary's father. Mary looks down, her eyes full of tears. Joseph grasps her arm as they depart]
But not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem and made a diligent search for him.
[Daytime on the road from Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph struggle against the stream of people exiting the city. Her eyes frantically search the faces of the crowd. Along the way she repeatedly stops to inquire of several women. Still moving quickly, Joseph and Mary enter a city gate. As dusk falls, they pause where two busy streets meet. Breathing heavily, they anxiously look in every direction. She wrings her hands together in distress. Now night, they approach the same house where they had eaten the Passover meal. The landlord opens the door, holding an oil lamp. He steps aside as Mary then Joseph tiredly entered the house. Later that night, Joseph and Mary sit on a mat close together. As her lips quiver, tears stream down her face. Sobbing, Mary leans on Joseph, her head resting on his shoulder. Joseph consolingly puts his arm around her and holds her other hand in his. Daytime, Joseph and Mary walk swiftly through the temple complex. They climb a set of stairs. As they reach the top, their eyes scan the busy courtyard around them. Mary walks with one arm wrapped around her stomach]
Well, after three days.
[With gloomy faces, they walk slowly. Opening her eyes wide, Mary stops]
They found him in the temple.
[She sees her son with his back to her]
sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions
[wearing long robes, a group of teachers sits on benches at their feet Jesus patiently looks from one to the next]
but all those listening to him were in constant amazement at his understanding and his answers
[observing the scene Mary covers her mouth with her hand. A teacher gestures toward her. Jesus turns to look]
Now when his parents saw him, they were astounded.
[Mary drops to her knees, then Joseph crouches beside her. Jesus gets up and walks over to his parents. The teacher's eyes follow him. Jesus kneels in front of them, as Mary envelops him in a tight hug. Joseph puts his hand on Jesus' shoulder. Mary holds him at arm's length, her eyes overflowing with tears]
Mary: Child, why did you treat us this way? Here your father and I have been frantically looking for you.
[With wrinkled brow, he looks at them]
Jesus: Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in the house of my father?
[Joseph and Mary look at each other]
Presenter: However, they did not understand what he was saying to them. Still on her knees, Mary embraces Jesus again. Joseph wraps his arms around them both. Closing his eyes, Jesus hugs them tightly. On the journey from Jerusalem]
Then he went down with them and returns to Nazareth.
[At dusk, Joseph, Mary and Jesus sit around a campfire Mary offers them loaves of around flatbread]
and he continued subjects to them
[Jesus and Joseph each take one]
also, his mother carefully kept all these sayings in her heart.
[Mary warmly glances at Jesus; Joseph affectionately pats him on the back. Jesus smiles up at him]
and Jesus, went on progressing in wisdom and in physical growth
[in the carpentry shop]
and in favour with God and men.
[Now a grown man, Jesus skilfully guides a wood planer on a yoke. He feels the yoke with his hand as wood shavings collect on the worktable]
The true light that gives light to every sort of man was about to come into the world
[He turns looking out the front of his shop into the sunlight]
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