Watched the final episode tonight. And was struck by one detail. Mary and Joseph couldn’t find a place to stay – and the BBC decided that the reason for that was the scandal associated with Mary’s condition. Fair enough – that’s one reasonable line to take. At least we didn’t have a string of inn-keepers. But here’s the detail. Mary goes into labour, and Joseph – still riddled with doubts – tries desperately to find some help for Mary. And no-one will help. By implication, for the same reason they can’t find a room.

Let me jump ahead. Mary traditionally wears a vivid blue shawl. It’s her signature garment. And up until this point she’s had a serviceable brown headscarf. Joseph does find help – eventually. And the headscarf gets used to wrap the infant. So what does Mary wear now?

She’s given the headscarf by the woman who does come in to help. Who is a middle-aged woman, wearing brighter than average clothing, and who has clearly seen plenty of life. With bangles around her wrists and ankles.

The BBC have done a brilliant thing. The midwife who helps deliver the Son of God; who dresses the Virgin Mary in her own blue headscarf? She’s a prostitute. She helps, where all the other women refuse.

I don’t know if they did that deliberately. Or maybe I’m reading too much into the details, and I’ve seen something that isn’t there. But it’s how it struck me – and if the scriptwriters did that on purpose, then I applaud them. After all – it would be such a Jesus-like thing to happen.