THE NATIVITY STORY: More or Less

Yes, I have read Fr Stephen’s thoughts on The Nativity Story — and I appreciated them very much.

I should mention that I rarely go to see movies — can probably count on two hands the ones I’ve seen in theatres in as many years. Yet, as most of you know, I did read New Line Cinema’s movie script for The Nativity Story and (happily) found it much less than I feared it would be. In other words, in that regard, “thin” is good.

Whether I go see it or not is yet to be seen.

I have, however, the same reaction Fr Stephen wrote about (click that first link) when I hear Orthodox Christians listening to “contemporary Christian” music with its Pop-Prot theology or, worse yet, mushy love songs to Jesus.

But if someone were coming off of the mind-numbing-animalistic-angst of Hip Hop, I would say that Contemporary Christian Music was a change for the better (even the God-pleasing!)

Fr Stephen ends bemoaning the fear that this movie might be the only experience of the Nativity that some have this year. Pity. But, gobs better than none.

Hollywood could have done a lot worse; and movie choices for those that go are certainly thinner still.

I still believe Joseph was an old man … no matter what the movie’s maker says. In my opinion, his opting for the Prot Myth is like choosing Contemporary Christian Music over The Messiah.