Review of The Nativity Story (2006) by Brenda J — 10 Nov 2016

The Nativity Story (2006), portrays the biblical story of Mary and Joseph just prior to the birth of Jesus. Mary of Nazareth (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is forced into marriage to Joseph (Oscar Isaac), a carpenter, in order to have her family avoid losing Mary to possible slavery due to overwhelming tax debts owed to King Herod.

As one would expect, Mary is not thrilled by the idea of a forced marriage, as she does not even know Joseph in the least. Soon, however, the well-known annunciation occurs, as an Angel comes to Mary, and reveals to her that she has been chosen by God to bear his own Son, who will be the Messiah.

This causes a problem, as Joseph and Mary were not supposed to consummate for another year's time after their wedding. As Mary becomes visibly pregnant, this becomes a scandal, as Joseph is deeply saddened, and gossip spreads from the rape of Mary by one of Herod's soldiers, to adultery by Mary.

Joseph then sees the Angel that appeared to Mary, and it is revealed to Joseph that Mary is innocent in the matter, and that she is bearing the Child of God. The scenery changes, and the film moves toward King Herod, who is warned, or rather, told of a new messiah and king to be born, which Herod views as both a warning and a threat.

Herod puts in place the census rule from Caesar, forcing everyone to return to their ancestral homeland. Thus, Joseph must go to Bethlehem, and the very pregnant Mary joins him. Herod is told by three magi that the new king will be a new-born baby, not a man of age.

Because of this, Herod puts in place a law for all infants to be murdered, in order to eliminate any kings that threaten him. Biblically speaking, this law was for all babies 2 years of age and under.

The well-known story of Mary giving birth to Jesus in the stable occurs, and an Angel sent from God saves Mary, Joseph, and Jesus from incoming soldiers of Herod, and the movie ends as they all 3 make their way towards Egypt, having escaped Herod.

The film seems to be a bit of a mashup of both the Gospel of John, and the Gospel of Luke, as details of the film's plot do not match 100% to either one of these Gospels.