**SPOILERS**: S5E01 "The Star of Jacob"


It's Christmas. Lady Felicia is giving her annual Yuletide Ball, while Mrs McCarthy is occupied getting everything ready for the St. Mary's Christmas Mass, including looking for a donkey, instead of the goat that was used in last year's Nativity procession.

She gets some help from Michael, a tramp who was found sleeping off his hangover in the confessional.

The Duke of Frome arrives at Cotswold village of Kembleford with his wife and baby son.

Everything seems fine, until the baby is abducted.

The suspects are: the Duke's cousin Basil, the valet George Parkin and a mysterious woman found wandering outside.

According to Father Brown it's an inside job and inspector Mallory concludes there can only be one culprit.

He makes an arrest. Too quick, as usual.

The baby is still missing, but when he is found in the crib of the Nativity stable at St. Mary's Church, Mallory goes looking for a possible accomplice.

Unfortunately that means there'll be no time for Christmas shopping.

"Although I won't be much of a Santa Claus this year."

Father Brown thinks there's more to this than meets the eye.


Who is Michael really and what does he mean with "Jocabed"?


This is quite an enjoyable episode for Christmas.

And even Mallory gets a happy ending with his family.

Lady Felicia: "Perhaps he's a Christmas miracle."
Mrs McCarthy: "Oh, now you're being ridiculous."
Father Brown: "The thing about miracles is that they do happen."