Like a lot of people, I love lists, and I love the Beliefnet team of gifted bloggers, writers, and editors, but I have to say it’s a glaring oversight that “The Nativity Story” doesn’t make the list of Top Ten Family Films of 2006, which Sharon Linnea–Beliefnet’s Reel Inspirational columnist–compiled.
For years, young people have not had a definitive version of the Christmas story to watch, rent, buy, or give. The closest we’ve had is the Peanuts special, which at least recites the story. The makers of “The Nativity Story” may not have made an Oscar winner or even an all-time classic, but they made the best we have so far, bringing the drama of the story to life on a screen much bigger and with a sound much broader than the classic Sunday School flannel board lesson. And in our media culture, kids deserve this.
When some people think of classic love stories, they think of Romeo and Juliet, or perhaps something they saw with their first boyfriend. But I think the Christmas story is the greatest love story of all time. Jesus left heaven, became one of us to show us a visible image of an invisible God, lived among us for awhile to know us and to be known, died to make a relationship with God possible and rose from the dead to prove it was all true.
I’d love it if future Christmas seasons brought us sequels that focused on each area of his life, death, and resurrection. Movies have an ability to transcend denominations and sectarian biases and just tell a story, and families are well-served to have something so meaningful to then discuss together.
“The Nativity” may not have some of the accoutrements of the typical feel-good holiday flick, but it’s content alone makes it an essential for the spiritual seeker.
posted January 2, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Perhaps she hasn’t seen Nativity Story yet. I note that in her list of Christmas treats, the movie wasn’t on the list. Sharon may not want to recommend a movie she herself has not seen. Her list is also appropriate for many faiths, not just for Christians. As great a story as the Nativity was, not everyone is a Christian. On a list of family movies for Christians, I’d place The Nativity Story at the top of the list, but other religious traditions? Not so much.
A list of your own for Christian families would be very nice. I’d be interested in seeing which movies would make it.
posted January 2, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I agree with Douglas Howe. The Nativity, recently release should be added to the top 10 Christmas movies. Christmas is a Christian holiday and this story is beautiful and carefully and respectfully created. It preserves religious tradition in a very human context. Unlike some other movies which portray Jewish people as adversarial with the stories of Christianity, The Nativity, characterizes Jewish people as observant and faithful. The Christian message of how the character’s Zecharia, Elizabeth and Mary and their whole family respond to their mystic experiences in their faith is one that is still true about today. How does one respond to God’s work in our lives today? Today, we have established professions that have analyzed and researched the probable outcomes of human behavior and how to manage our behavior in healthy ways for ourselves and others. But truly they are not advocating for world peace and reconciliation with all people. That is what Scripture teaches Christians to do – to love our neighbors as ourselves. Otherwise we would not be in Afganistan, Iraq and other countries having to militarily exercise control with fear, if the “secular professions” truly embraced peace. This movie portrays Jews who love their God and try to live their faith within the context of that historical period the best that they can. Although, Jews do not accept the story of Christian tradition, it is important to see them characterized as faithful people to their God. Even Pagans can identify with the ancient traditions of their faith in the respectful and knowledgeable characterizations of the Three Kings. The Islamic prophet Mohammed had not been born yet so their interactions in this historical context could not be contrasted. However, stories of any people who love God and obey God’s commands are ways humanity responds to the uncertainty of life and try to be a peace with it and those whom they share the human experience with agreed terms to find order, justice and peace. “The Nativity” shall become a Millenium Christmas Classic.
posted January 3, 2007 at 2:32 am
I would disagree with one of the comments that says that Christianity teaches world peace and reconciliation with all people. God wants that but that is not what Christianity stands for. Christianity is simply and beautifully stated as believing in Jesus Christ as 1.Born of a virgin (Mary) 2. Died on the cross as a “perfect” sacrifice and 3. rose again by Father God’s power and we request Him to enter into our hearts and lives as our Lord and Savior. Please note that in Revelations that the majority of humans will NOT be saved because they simply cannot ACCEPT what God offers for free. I think the Nativity Story is a PERFECT example of God’s free offer to ALL who want it. I also think that, perhaps, its absence from the list is a PERFECT example of the MAJORITY speaking. What a shame…