As our story opens, Roman soldiers betray and murder Andrew, the traditional name of the Bethlehem innkeeper, to rob the payroll for a temple construction project. We also meet two shepherd boys who witness this crime, a troublemaker and a dreamer, who are stuck on night watch because they broke camp rules.

To get revenge against Simon, the head shepherd, the boys steal an empty chest because they thought the week’s payroll was inside. The troublemaker shepherd pawns the empty chest in the market and, in a rare display of chivalry, uses the money to buy a gift for his girlfriend Agatha, who is the daughter of the murdered innkeeper.

At Andrew’s wake, a pharisee reassures the new innkeeper, who is Andrew’s widow, about her future. The two also briefly discuss the changes going on then, such as increased military activity due to a census, as well as some changes the promised Messiah may make. Meanwhile, the shepherd boys have basically the same conversation.

We next meet Mary, who is about 17, and Joseph, who is in his mid-30s, for the first time. They’re detained at a checkpoint because they rub a Roman guard the wrong way. Later, the innkeeper stumbles upon the bickering couple and briefly speaks with them about their stay in Bethlehem. The innkeeper gets a special vibe about Mary’s Child. At about the same time, Agatha surreptitiously meets her boyfriend. They exchange small gifts.

That night, the innkeeper is reflective at dinner while her children quarrel and fight. They travel to a friend’s house, where the quarreling, fighting, and pondering continue. On a hill far away, the shepherd boys spend an uneventful and reflective night watching the sheep. Everyone anticipates something new, but no one knows exactly who, or what, to expect.

The next day, Mary and Joseph are released after they pay a large fine. The troublemaker comes clean with Agatha about some lies he’s told her about his past. He also tells her that he and his friend saw what really happened to her dad.
Later that day, in the market, Micah, the innkeeper’s son, bumps into Mary. He takes her to see his mom, who may be able to arrange lodging for the night. Along the way, Mary sees Joseph talking and laughing with another woman.

At the innkeeper’s house, Micah asks the million-dollar question “Is there any room at the inn?” The innkeeper offers Mary the stable, as she’s about to give birth and there’s no privacy at the travelers’ inn.

Later, as they settle in for the night, the innkeeper interrupts the bickering couple. Mary’s delivery is difficult and she’s almost delusional. The Innkeeper offers to get a midwife, but Joseph says they can’t afford one. Meanwhile, the shepherd boys see a child angel who delivers the news of Jesus’ birth. The boys, mostly out of fear, use the clues the angel gave them to locate the Child.

Signs of change appear at the travelers’ inn during the evening meal. A new centurion, who’s less of a bully than his predecessor, investigates a “disturbance.” That disturbance was chaos related to the brilliant light which, unbeknownst to the villagers, surrounded the angels. The innkeeper is bringing a plate of food to Mary and Joseph when she comes across the shepherd boys/detectives.

The innkeeper quickly puts the puzzle pieces together and, promising that they’ll see something new, leads the boys to the stable.

In the final scene, the shepherd boys each give the Child small offerings which are financially worthless but emotionally priceless. The innkeeper makes a similar offering. Then, at Mary’s behest, she lifts the slightly fussy, wrapped-in-swaddling-clothes Child from the manger and sings Him a lullaby.

Apropos of nothing, the main characters (the innkeeper and shepherds) remain anonymous, like they are in Luke 2, the text for this drama.