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FIRST RESPONSE: The Nativity Story |
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Written by Joe Randeen
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First Response, December 2006
“The Nativity Story”
A Film from New Line Cinema
by Don Williams
In the wake of Mel Gibson's incredibly successful The Passion of the Christ, now a major studio has brought Jesus' birth to the screen. Hitting theaters the first weekend in December, The Nativity Story reverently and biblically portrays the first Christmas. There are many impressive aspects to the script and the film's production. To begin with, the writer, Mike Rich, is a Christian. Several key executives, including the Executive Producer, also profess Christ. The evangelical pastor of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church was asked to address those at New Line Cinema (a Time-Warner Company) releasing this film about the meaning of Christ's birth. The Grace Hill agency that promoted Mel Gibson's Passion has also been involved in promoting Nativity. Its world premier was held in Rome at the Vatican. So far so good.
Reviews, of course, are mixed. Some see The Nativity Story as joining Hollywood's “Christmas Canon.” Others believe that it is a film for all faiths. But others, of course, see it as a mix of stereotyped acting and underplayed piety. What can be said of this picture?
As I write my reactions, this is not a review. I leave that to the professionals. But tellingly in The Nativity Story's favor are the following. First, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus' birth is clear. Secondly, God's providential hand is all over the film, including the Roman census which sends Joseph from Nazareth to his ancestral home of Bethlehem so that Jesus can be born there as the “son of David” from David's city. Third, the crisis of Jesus' coming dominates the screen. It is a crisis for Herod the Great, as in the opening scene, he sends his soldiers to Bethlehem to slaughter all the male children under two years of age. It is a crisis for Mary, betrothed to Joseph (by parental decree), who, visited by an angel, becomes pregnant out of wedlock. It is a crisis for Joseph who has every reason to believe that Mary has been unfaithful to him and that he should break off their engagement. It is a crisis for Mary's parents who are unprepared for the miracle of Jesus' conception. It is also a crisis for the “Three Wise Men” (biblically we don't know their number or their names, only the three gifts they bring) who offer some comic relief that is probably too light hearted for the weight of the film. Their lives are uprooted as they follow their astrological projections and see three planets merge to form the Bethlehem Star. It is even a crisis for the shepherds, but a good crisis, as they are heralded by angels and sent to find Jesus in the animal cave. Finally, it is a crisis again for the “Holy Family” as they are forced to flee into Egypt, thus escaping Herod's wrath.
The Nativity Story brings Christmas out of sheer sentiment and stained glass windows. The principles, Mary and Joseph, and the supporting cast, including John the Baptist's parents, are as human as we are. They struggle with their destiny and, at times, even unbelief. Christmas recedes from cathedrals and candlelight and re-emerges into the rough real world of politics, tyranny, violence and ordinary people who are called to extraordinary things. The sets are as authentic as we can make them. Nazareth becomes a dirty village again. Travel is long, slow, hard and treacherous at times. The Jerusalem temple towers over the Holy City. Animals are present and real. As Jesus lies in his mother's arms and shepherds and wise men bow, a cow sits behind chewing its cud (good touch).
Critical scholars will object to many aspects of this film. Certainly the shepherds and wise men were not together at the birth of Jesus. But the symbolism of their both kneeling before the Christ-child, the high and the low bowing before him, still is impressive and makes a central biblical point. We are leveled before the infant Son of God, as we will all be leveled at his cross, sinners saved only by his grace.
The Nativity Story is not a sermon. It doesn't preach. But in the story itself our key historic, evangelical faith with Jesus as the Incarnate Son of God, shines. Liberal churchmen and scholars will not be comforted or assured by this traditional but, oh so human, re-telling of the Great Miracle: God himself stepping into our humanity and our history at a point in time to save us from our sins.
But in the midst of a wonderful and special Christmas movie I am reminded of a line from the carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” It reads, “Where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.” The Nativity Story is true to this. Hollywood is to be commended to telling it straight. Go see this film. Take family, friends and those whose hearts need to open to Jesus. Support New Line Cinema's best efforts. Vote “Yes” in the only way Hollywood can hear you – at the box-office and leave with grace and gratitude.
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First Response 
