[0:04]Rome, 64 AD. The Emperor Nero has unleashed his fury against the Christians. Their crime, proclaiming a king higher than Caesar. Setting fire to the city, Nero places the blame on the Christians and launches a new campaign to wipe them out. Families are separated, children left homeless, as thousands are sold into slavery or thrown to the lions. Escaping the panic of the fire and dodging the advancing soldiers, a group of children find shelter in the gentle care of Ben and Helena. A local baker and his wife. Here the children discover an amazing secret network of daring men and women who risk their lives to help one another and to tell the stories of the great storyteller. The one called Jesus. And so awaiting the day when their parents will return, Anna, Cyrus, Justin and Marcus embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Together with Ben, Helena and their friends in the Christian underground. Their mission to keep the stories of Jesus alive. This is their story. They are, the storykeepers. A Shepherd Films production. Series Executive Producer, Brian Brown. Series Co-Executive Producer, David N. Weiss. Executive Producer, Scott Bolinder. Co-Executive Producers, David R. Anderson, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Stephen Stiles. Series concept created & written by Brian Brown, Andrew Melrose. Supervising Producer, Michael Algar. Producer, Nick Condon. Supervising Director, Jimmy T. Murakami.
[2:08]Starlight Escape. Written by Rob Mc Farlane, Brian Brown, Andrew Melrose.
[2:16]The stars are so bright. A little too bright, Anna. Nero's guards can spot us a mile away. We never should have taken this road in the first place. Don't worry, Zach. Our friends in Ostia assure me that if anyone can get us there safely, it's Milo. I don't see how. He's as old as the hills, deaf as a stone, and he talks to his horse. No, no, no, you've got it all wrong, Regius. We go left at the next junction, not right.
[2:49]Ben, why are we going all the way to Ostia for a story meeting? Because it's too dangerous in Rome, Marcus. As more people become Christians, Nero sends even more guards to try and catch us. What's that, Regius? Roman guards? Well, I sure don't smell any guards. Oh, that's a relief. Milo doesn't smell any. Guards!
[3:20]Guess you were right, Regius. Hold on everybody! Whoa! After them! Follow them!
[3:41]They're gaining on us! Don't worry, I'll lose him. You got any tricks up your sleeve, you'd better use them right now. Right, only a half-witted go with blinkers on would go right. We want to go left! Are you trying to get us killed? Sit down!
[4:09]Look out! Whoa! Regius!
[4:20]Whoopee! What a ride! Is everyone all right? I think so.
[4:30]Well, the wagon's not.
[4:34]So much for the story meeting. We'll never get to Ostia now. Don't be so sure. I said I'd get you folks to Ostia, and I mean to do just that. Just stay out of what's left of my hair, and we'll be on our way again in no time. I'm cold. I think we can do something about that.
[4:59]Where did the leaders in Ostia find that old smuggler anyway? No one knows much about Milo, except that he's traveled just about every road, footpath and goat trail in the empire. There goes another one. Wow! Why do stars fall, Ben? I couldn't tell you, Marcus. That's a question for the Magi. Who? Magi are men who study the stars. In fact, a group of them play an important part in one of my favorite stories.
[5:32]A long time ago, when my father was still just a boy, several Magi discovered a new star. They knew the star meant a special king had been born. So, they decided to follow the star to Israel in hope of finding him. The Magi traveled for nearly two years. Before finally arriving in Israel's capital city, Jerusalem. Unfortunately, there was another king living in Israel at the time and his name was Herod. He was a vain, cruel, moody man who lived in constant fear. Someone is trying to steal my throne. I know it.
[6:31]He would do anything, even kill his own wife and family, to remain king.
[6:49]Great king, we have come to worship the child who is born to be the king of the Jews.
[7:02]Do you know where we may find him? I am king of the Jews, their only king! Where can I find the other king of which they spoke?
[7:17]In Bethlehem, as the prophet Micah wrote hundreds of years ago.
[7:26]Herod immediately called for another meeting with the Magi. The child you seek is in Bethlehem. When you find him, come back and tell me where he is. For I would like to worship him, too. And so, the Magi traveled to nearby Bethlehem.
[7:57]The child they had come to see was now two years old. He was staying in Bethlehem with his parents, Joseph and Mary.
[8:12]The Magi opened the gifts they had brought for him. Gold, fit for a king. Frankincense for worship, and Myrrh. His last gift was a strange one. Myrrh is usually used in the burial of the dead. Perhaps the Magi knew that much sorrow would come to this little boy.
[9:18]No one knows where they went, but one thing is certain: they didn't return to Herod's palace.
[9:40]Yes. Well, still no word from the Magi, your Majesty. When Herod realized the Magi had tricked him, he flew into one of his terrible rages. Those meddling sorcerers are trying to hide the child from me.
[10:02]So be it! By the time I'm finished, they'll wish they delivered him to me on a plate! Assemble your men. They are to scour the city of Bethlehem and kill every male child under the age of two. But, your Majesty, no one must escape alive. Do you understand? That's an order! Yes, Herod.
[10:30]How did Joseph and Mary escape, Ben? Yeah, Ben, finish the story. Well, the same night that King Herod ordered his men to kill the newborn children, Joseph was warned by an angel of the Lord in a terrible dream. And king of the Jews, their only king!
[11:10]Herod's men carried out their orders.
[16:51]That was really close. Ben, let's get out of here. We can find the meeting on our own. Milo said he'd be back. I think we should trust him. Me, too. We'll wait just a while longer. But Ben, why don't you continue with the story, Helena? Well, um, one night, not long after he had called off the wedding, Joseph had a dream. You must not be afraid to wed Mary. God is the father of her baby and you shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. The next morning, Joseph decided to go ahead with the wedding as planned.
[21:19]Do you know one of my favorite things about that story? Ordinary shepherds were among the first to see Jesus. I think that's my favorite story, Helena. Mine, too.
[22:01]You can relax, Zach, Cassius and I are old friends.
[22:07]Don't look so surprised everyone. Tacticus isn't the only Christian in the Roman Guard. I don't know what we would have done without you, Milo. Yeah, thanks for everything. Oh, now, it was nothing. No, it was something.
[22:27]Oh, my. Goodbye, Milo. Take care. Bye, Milo. Bye, Regius. Safe journey. Come, come. Our meeting place is filled with friends and they're anxious to hear your stories.
