Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

The Nativity Story Column for the weeks of December 16-31, 2006

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During this Christmas season, the film The Nativity Story is probably playing in a theater near you. Some might not think it as authentic as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ because these actors speak English; still this movie manages to give insight into the customs and historic time when Jesus was born. The actors have a Jewish look to them, not fair skinned and light haired like Renaissance paintings and the locations look authentic. Adapted from accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels, the story follows pretty closely what scriptures indicate.

From a secular point of view, the story of Christ’s birth has great box office potential. It has something for everyone: a teenager getting pregnant then denying she had sex, the massacre of innocent children, the super natural element, a power struggle, deceit, a long journey, mystics from the East, narrow escapes, and love. What more could you want in a movie? Unfortunately, those looking for blockbuster potential will be sorely disappointed. Being a Christian and a movie lover, I desperately wanted to “feel” the impact of the birth of Christ. But this movie is not designed to entertain as much as it is to inform. It’s almost like a documentary told in story format.

Those unfamiliar with the story of the nativity in scripture should read the first few chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Here are some things we might overlook in scriptures, which this movie depicts realistically.

Mary was very young when she bore Jesus. One day she appears almost childlike as she’s having fun with her peers, the next she is thrust into an arranged betrothal with an older man Joseph. Today, by American standards, this would be unheard of, but such was the custom of the day. Mary does not go willingly into this union, but adapts to the idea. At least Joseph is a good man. Young girls of that time fortunate enough to marry good men at least started with a certain respect that could grow into love.

Mary’s cousin Elizabeth who became pregnant through a miracle of her own is really quite a bit older than Mary, actually too old to have children. The contrast of the older woman and young girl going through similar events is interesting. Elizabeth probably gave Mary comfort and encouragement.

When Joseph accepts Mary’s condition and saves her from being stoned, how did the other villagers feel? How did they view Mary? Did they think she was promiscuous or in today’s terminology – a slut? I doubt if all the friends and neighbors were supportive of their situation.

Traveling to Bethlehem to be taxed and counted was no small feat. It took a long, long time traveling by foot with a pregnant woman and a donkey over hilly and rocky terrain. They didn’t just hop in their cars and drive to the county seat. We might say, “Why would people travel that far just for a census?” What choice did they have? Not to comply could have serious consequences.

Herod was an evil man who reigned with terror. People lived in fear for their lives and were taxed beyond their means. Herod was paranoid about the tales of a new king who would come. Some dismissed these stories as fables, but he wasn’t so sure. He feared his kingdom would be ripped from him and became obsessed with holding onto his power. As a result, innocent babies were slaughtered.

Who were these “wise men” and where did they come from? What kind of entourage did they travel with?

What did Joseph and Mary talk about before Jesus was born? How could they raise such a child? Perhaps they were slightly frightened. Having any child makes parents a little apprehensive. Imagine the responsibility of having and raising the Christ child.

My list could go on and on.

This movie wasn’t quite what I expected. It didn’t inspire me to spread the gospel of the birth of the Christ child or to exhort people to celebrate Christmas for the right reason. However, it did broaden my perspective about the blessed event and made it seem possible and plausible. It gave a human element to the birth of Christ without taking away the miracle of what happened.

I guess that’s where true inspiration lies. For The Nativity Story is not just a fable or story – it really happened. Prophecies were fulfilled. Christ was born. Salvation was brought to mankind. And this is what makes Christmas worth celebrating!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.