Review of The Nativity Story (2006) by Ashley A — 15 Nov 2015

Overall, the movie was a decent interpretation of what occurred in the birth of Jesus. Mary as a young girl was married to Joseph unwillingly, by her father. As a sacred part of the marriage, Mary and Joseph could live together but were not allowed to have sexual relations for at least a year. Early within the marriage, Mary was approached by an Angel who instructed her to carry a child, and call him Jesus the son of God, even though she had never been with a man. Mary was skeptical at first but agreed to this command. Shortly thereafter, she learned her cousin Elizabeth was also with child and she decided to find a way to live with Elizabeth during the pregnancy. Mostly, Mary was afraid what people what think of her and that Joseph would not believe the reason of how she got impregnated. After Elizabeth had her child, Mary returned home and initially was scorned by her family. Joseph even though she betrayed him until the Angel appeared to him in a dream. Joseph accepted the child as his own and did everything possible to protect his wife and child, by traveling and moving to Bethlehem. Once baby Jesus was born, the Three Wise Kings approached him with gifts. The Angel approached Joseph one more time telling him to move his family to Egypt and kept the child there until he appeared again.

In relation to World Religions, the movie shows where Jesus was born in Bethlehem but didn't go as far as to mention him living in Nazareth throughout most of his life. In text, there is also mention of Mary conceiving the child while being a virgin. The four gospels attested to the Spirit of God/Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at his birth. Our textbook doesn't go into much detail on the birth of Jesus as it is portrayed in the movie. Although, all the religions we have reviewed have a belief in a higher power whether named Jesus or some other deity.

Brodd, Jeffrey. "Christianity." Invitation to World Religions. Instructor's ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.