Review of The Nativity Story (2006) by Simone G — 09 Apr 2016

From an overall perspective the nativity story is a good movie probably one of the most famous events in human history. . The Nativity story mainly centers around Joseph and Mary and their lives together before birthing Jesus of Nazareth. Joseph didn't speak much in scripture, so that was something I felt was difficult to know, but we did see Joseph acting, and that is important. We are told that Joseph was a righteous man and a God fearing man. The movie brings visual setting of the Jewish world at the time of Jesus. Key things in the movie that I remember were the conflict between Mary and her parents and Joseph about her pregnancy. While a popularly arranged marriage in the beginning, the town sees Mary's pregnancy as a disgrace and embarrassment so her family was ashamed of her. Threats/threat of stoning was even mentioned. Her Friends turn against and rebuked her. Joseph after having a deep dream, decide to be Mary's husband and began to protects her. His choices are not always easy. In one scene, a woman suggests that the baby will not resemble in physical features of Joseph, at which he frowns at the thought.

The journey to Bethlehem is difficult, especially for a pregnant mother Mary. They sit around a fire with others or alone. They went down to the Jordan River, cross, then through Jericho and back up to Jerusalem. The road is rugged and dangerous. Food isn't always available. Jerusalem is an exciting place for the couple who might never have been through it before the birth of Jesus. When Joseph passes the Temple and sees the money changers and sellers, he comments on what should be a place of worship. We should not be surprised that others saw what Jesus saw as well.

When they arrive in Bethlehem, it was night time. Mary is ready to deliver and Joseph desperately was seeking to find a place to stay though there was no inn, finally settling in a cave with animals in it, the traditional idea of the manger was born. After Jesus was born, a star shines brightly over the manger and the shepherds from the field and the Magi all appear to see and worship. .

This movie relates to world religions I thought it captured the cultural aspects very well. Such might surprise some. Biblically, where it quoted scripture, it was accurate. Like when everyone came to the manger is traditional but not Biblical yet this scene doesn't take away from the power of the movie. They compress the events after the birth of Jesus into a few scenes. So to reiterate scenes with precision and accuracy through scripture I feel tis movies was a good movie for Christian beliefs.