When Augustus Ceasar became Emperor of Rome, Judea was made a Roman province. For 400 years the prophets of Israel had been silent. Priests read the Scriptures aloud in the synagogues while Roman officers patrolled the streets, heavily taxing the Hebrews. The prophecies whispered of a coming Messiah who would save God's people. This novel develops and expands upon the people and story lines in Season 1 of the TV series The Chosen. The events portrayed revolve around Jesus and people with whom He came in contact, including those He chose to be His disciples and their families, beginning with the shepherds to whom His birth was announced by the angels.