I’ll join the chorus of voices in praise of The Nativity Story. I don’t often recommend movies for the same reason I don’t often recommend music: there are so few that are worthy of our time and attention. But The Nativity Story gets my vote.

Any retelling of Biblical narrative runs several serious risks: the producer and director might so deviate from the actual story as to make it unrecognizable. The set may be cheap, the dialog forced or over-dramatized. Somehow, The Nativity Story threads the high ground between these deep ditches, and the effect is dramatic.

Every part of the story was well-told. From Zechariah and Elisabeth to the Magi from the East, the story is told accurately and fully. In particular, Joseph and Mary’s faith toward God was vividly portrayed. In so many retellings of the story, Joseph’s part is all but marginalized, but I loved how the movie represented his courage, faith, and leadership. And you could see Mary “treasuring these things in her heart.”

If you’re looking for something to do on the day after Christmas (and you’ve already been to the Sackler Gallery!), check out The Nativity Story.

You don’t have to take my word for it. You can also read reviews by the GirlTalkers or Dr. Al Mohler.

Parents: the births of John and Jesus and Herod’s infanticide are not graphic, but they are vivid. Be careful with younger children.

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