Nativity Story Brings Birth of Jesus to Big Screen

Though nativity scenes can be found in tens of millions of North American homes each Christmas season, the story of the birth of Christ has never been featured on the big screen. Not until now, that is. This month, New Line Cinema released The Nativity Story to thousands of screens around the country, dramatizing the most famous birth in world history.

The Nativity Story shines the spotlight on daily life in first century Nazareth, letting us feel what it must have been like to live under the harsh tyranny of the Roman Empire and their vassal Judean king, Herod. The film quickly introduces us to a virtuous, teenage Mary, who is soon told that she will marry Joseph. The Nativity Story portrays Joseph as a kind-hearted, hard-working man who wants nothing more than to build a house and start a family. Mary is not too eager to join Joseph's family, but is distracted from her sadness by the angel Gabriel, who announces that she will give birth to the Son of God.

The story follows the basic biblical chronology. All the highlights from the Bible are in the movie, from the birth of John the Baptist to the paranoia of King Herod, and from the shepherds to the wise men. Mary is played by Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider). The film is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Lords of Dogtown, Thirteen) and scripted by Mike Rich (Miracle, The Rookie).

Many critics have panned the film as a glorified Sunday School lesson. The adjectives "tame" and "unimaginative" have been used. This is unfair, since the goal of the film isn't to break new ground in a literary sense, but rather to dramatically portray the birth of Jesus.

The commercial goal, of course, is to turn a profit. The jury is still out on this one. The Nativity Story had a very modest, disappointing opening. As of December 3, it had grossed only $8 million. The Midwest snow storms no doubt hurt the film's opening, since it was aimed at the Heartland. Will the film do better as Christmas draws closer? Only time will tell.

As to the content of the movie, The Nativity Story is a movie made to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Artistically speaking, that is its objective, and it succeeds well. The movie is unambiguous on the key tenets of Christian doctrine pertaining to the birth of Jesus and His identity as "God in the flesh," as one of the wise men call him.

While it may not win any Academy Awards, The Nativity Story is pleasant and inspiring. It is highly recommended for this Christmas season.