The episode was postponed one week due to sensitive content in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that took place two days before it was originally scheduled to air.
Later, Mary tells Joseph that she has been visited by an angel (played by Bruce) who told her that God has blessed her with his child.
Elsewhere, three wise men (played by Glenn Quagmire, Cleveland Brown, and Joe Swanson) are inspired to travel to Bethlehem themselves.
They stop at the palace of King Herod (played by Carter Pewterschmidt) for water and talk of their plans to see the Messiah.
Herod decides to protect his title and win the love of Jodie Foster (a reference to John Hinckley, Jr.) by killing the child.
Mary and Joseph arrive at an inn, but the manager (played by Mort Goldman) denies them a room.
They explain that their car broke down and they need help, but Peter, thinking that they're faking, gives them the cold shoulder and threatens to call the police.
But other times—and “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!” unfortunately falls into this category—it’s so toothless and scattered that it can barely muster the old venomous attitude toward religion.