The story begins with the discovery that teenager
Mary has become a woman, ready to be betrothed. Wealthy and handsome Cleophas and
rabbi's son Abner are both in love with Mary but she loves only
Joseph, the son of a
carpenter. Despite their age difference and the objections of Mary's mother, Hannah, the love between Mary and Joseph prevails, and they are betrothed. Soon after the ceremony, Mary is visited by an
angel, who tells her that she will become the mother of the
Messiah, whom she shall name Jesus. Mary is then faced with the responsibility of impending motherhood as well as proving to Joseph that she has not betrayed him. Meanwhile, Mary's aunt
Elizabeth is also pregnant (with
John the Baptist). After telling her parents and Joseph the truth, Mary's family arranges for her to come to
Jerusalem to stay with
Zechariah and Elizabeth temporarily. Joseph remains behind in
Galilee, tormented by jealousy, until an angel visits him. Joseph's father Jacob dies and, afterwards, Joseph goes to Mary as the angel instructed. After they are married, Joseph takes Mary with him to
Bethlehem, where taxes must be paid. Unable to find other accommodations, they stay in a stable, where Mary gives birth to Jesus. They are visited by wise men who bring gifts to the newborn
Messiah. The wise men originally came on behalf of
King Herod, who has ordered the execution of all male babies in Jerusalem to prevent the Messiah from coming to power. The wise men are warned to flee from Herod and Joseph is warned to flee to
Egypt with Mary and Jesus. The book ends with them on the journey to Egypt. ==Reception==