Posted on 12/04/2006 7:52:47 PM PST by Pyro7480
'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children
By John-Henry Westen
NEW YORK, December 4, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A review of New Line Cinema's The Nativity story by Fr. Angelo Mary Geiger of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in the United States, points out that the film, which opened December 1, misinterprets scripture from a Catholic perspective.
While Fr. Geiger admits that he found the film is "in general, to be a pious and reverential presentation of the Christmas mystery." He adds however, that "not only does the movie get the Virgin Birth wrong, it thoroughly Protestantizes its portrayal of Our Lady."
In Isaiah 7:14 the Bible predicts the coming of the Messiah saying: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." Fr. Geiger, in an video blog post, explains that the Catholic Church has taught for over 2000 years that the referenced Scripture showed that Mary would not only conceive the child miraculously, but would give birth to the child miraculously - keeping her physical virginity intact during the birth.
The film, he suggests, in portraying a natural, painful birth of Christ, thus denies the truth of the virginal and miraculous birth of Christ, which, he notes, the Fathers of the Church compared to light passing through glass without breaking it. Fr. Geiger quoted the fourth century St. Augustine on the matter saying. "That same power which brought the body of the young man through closed doors, brought the body of the infant forth from the inviolate womb of the mother."
Fr. Geiger contrasts The Nativity Story with The Passion of the Christ, noting that with the latter, Catholics and Protestants could agree to support it. He suggests, however, that the latter is "a virtual coup against Catholic Mariology".
The characterization of Mary further debases her as Fr. Geiger relates in his review. "Mary in The Nativity lacks depth and stature, and becomes the subject of a treatment on teenage psychology."
Beyond the non-miraculous birth, the biggest let-down for Catholics comes from Director Catherine Hardwicke's own words. Hardwicke explains her rationale in an interview: "We wanted her [Mary] to feel accessible to a young teenager, so she wouldn't seem so far away from their life that it had no meaning for them. I wanted them to see Mary as a girl, as a teenager at first, not perfectly pious from the very first moment. So you see Mary going through stuff with her parents where they say, 'You're going to marry this guy, and these are the rules you have to follow.' Her father is telling her that she's not to have sex with Joseph for a year-and Joseph is standing right there."
Comments Fr. Geiger, "it is rather disconcerting to see Our Blessed Mother portrayed with 'attitude;' asserting herself in a rather anachronistic rebellion against an arranged marriage, choosing her words carefully with her parents, and posing meaningful silences toward those who do not understand her."
Fr. Geiger adds that the film also contains "an overly graphic scene of St. Elizabeth giving birth," which is "just not suitable, in my opinion, for young children to view."
Despite its flaws Fr. Geiger, after viewing the film, also has some good things to say about it. "Today, one must commend any sincere attempt to put Christ back into Christmas, and this film is certainly one of them," he says. "The Nativity Story in no way compares to the masterpiece which is The Passion of the Christ, but it is at least sincere, untainted by cynicism, and a worthy effort by Hollywood to end the prejudice against Christianity in the public square."
And, in addition to a good portrait of St. Joseph, the film offers "at least one cinematic and spiritual triumph" in portraying the Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth. "Although the Magnificat is relegated to a kind of epilogue at the movie's end, the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth is otherwise faithful to the scriptures and quite poignant. In a separate scene, the two women experience the concurrent movement of their children in utero and share deeply in each other's joy. I can't think of another piece of celluloid that illustrates the dignity of the unborn child better than this."
See Fr. Geiger's full review here:
http://airmaria.com/
THANKS FOR YOUR KIND AND WISE REPLY.
Indeed, it is the OPPOSITE OF NARCISSISM. It is SUBMITTING one’s ego, selfishness, willfulness, contrariness, humanness, pride etc. to Holy Spirit’s leading. And He is FAITHFUL to take us on quite a boot camp/training tour. He gets down to between the bone and the marrow on a list of issues that we are not always even aware of ourselves until He starts shining His very ample spotlight on them.
Wonderful Scriptures in your post. Thx.
BTW, I noticed today as I boxed something up . . . their tummies fell over their feet again. So, we’ll pretend they are sheltering eggs there! LOL. AT least their heads are clear and His right wing is . . . well, we’ve talked about that before. LOL. I outlined his name in red but that ran down disappointingly. Anyway—hope it’s useful and worth using. LUB, BLPH,
Okay, I can convince myself that I am being led by the HS, that these are not my opinions, but that He is whispering in my ear, and that when I say something outrageous I am testing you with that which is forbidden because I have a revelation. C’mon, Quix, let’s be real.
You’d believe me as much as I believe you.
= = =
Would depend on how Scriptural it was and on Holy Spirit’s witness within me. And if it was still unclear—what response I got from Holy Spriit through some focused prayer and fasting.
That's why beliefs are the ulitmate privacy. They are something that is only between you and God.
You stand as evidence to the contrary - because for a very long time now, dear kosta50, I have seen Christ in you.
They are something that is only between you and God
= = = =
In significant large part, I disagree.
Scripture says: OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART, THE MOUTH SPEAKS.
I don’t believe we can effectively hide our beliefs for long. They come out our mouths, fingers, actions.
Yeehaw on the little guys! I soooo look forward to seeing them. The things which you describe as if they were imperfections are the very things which will make them precious to me!
You MUST be born again... -Jesus
Brother: Its not a matter of what you believe its a matter of whom you are.. The church is not a club its a family..
But it's still what you think. In other words, your opinion = HS. I don't buy it. I am sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful.
I can tell you that I believe that prayer, fasting and humility give us blessed answers, and I can tell you that I have experienced something I can best describe as God gently putting me back on track, and bringing tears to my eyes for being so ungrateful to Him, but I can equally convince myself that all this is a Spirit-led journey of learning and illumination that leads me to higher levels of spirituality and, indeed, life itself as God created it, and feel perfectly elated.
It is not that a Christian is infallible (nobody's perfect!) --- but rather that the sum of his life is a clear testimony to Christ.
We know when we mess up, when we follow that carnal urge (I John 1:5-10.) But when we do, we confess our sins and He is faithful to forgive us and help us get back into the Light.
But I don't see it. I would consider it the ultimate in pride to make that claim. If anything I think I am the "trouble maker" on this forum. But I do sense love. And love is from God.
We know when we mess up, when we follow that carnal urge (I John 1:5-10.) But when we do, we confess our sins and He is faithful to forgive us and help us get back into the Light
That rings so true, A-G.
We are also guilty of some spiritual pride, Quix, some more others less. The saints who are truly humble never brag even about God. Their whole being, what they do and how they act is a divine show, but such are few and far and inbetween.
But I do testify that I see in your posts an overwhelming devotion and love of God. And you have always been tender hearted and loving to me.
I see Christ in you, kosta50. That is why I so often call you my brother in Christ.
Many, like me, were drawn to God by jealousy of the joy and peace of the testimonys shared/bragged by some before me.. Their gratitude could have been taken by me to be bragging or gratitude depending om MY STATE at the time.. But both states drew me(at different times) as a kind of jealousy.. I am not sad to say..
The negative attitude of mine(jealousy) opened me up like a tin can.. For the lord to draw me to himself.. The Lord is worthy to be bragged about.. You know, praised..
Even Quix recognizes that. :) He calls you Angel-Girl.
We are incredibly blessed to recongize His goodness, but I don't know how to say "thank you" with sufficient depth and veracity that I feel in my heart to the One who has been so incredibly merciful to me.
I think that folks who have not earnestly tried to walk with/in Holy Spirit over a long time are missing out on some of the more searchingly . . . purifying . . . fiery furnaces . . . The idea that any such walk would be narcissistic for very long is just totally opposite of the reality. Holy Spirit is VERY FAITHFUL TO INSURE THAT! And HE GETS FAR MORE NITTY GRITTY PERSONAL THAN ANY MERE MORTAL COULD—EVEN A SPOUSE!
Well PRAISE GOD on all counts. LOL. It’s a treasure to be able to send anything to such a treasured Sister and Hubby.
I’m eager to see if the Scripture means anything extra to him, or not. Fine either way. Just curious. Also very eager to see how well, if well and which way his hand fits best. That will make more sense when you see it.
I don't think you understood me. When asked, we should brag. But love does not compel by words but by deeds. It is in deeds that we show our faith. It is in being merciful and kind, pure in heart and intensions that we praise God in the highest.
My words are mechanical and totally inadequate to praise God. By contrast, betty boop's writing reads like a hymn or melody of gratitude.
Whenever she writes praises to God all I can do is say "ditto" and "Praise God!" and trust Him to search my heart.
Thank you so much for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!
Sure I did, I just elbowed you in the ribs and grinned at you..
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