'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children

'The Nativity Story' Movie Problematic for Catholics, "Unsuitable" for Young Children

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."

Perhaps it can be seen why we might have ours, however.

I had that perspective for a long time. I think I get it, or some of it. While I guess I get defensive in threads like this, what I really want is for people to hear one another.

It's when people say that we believe something that we don't believe that conversation sort of increases in friction and heat and all that. And it's just as much true when it goes the other way. Being asked if I mean to go on committing idolatry is not the best way to get me to look at something calmly. And calling people Apostate also tends to raise the ambient temperature. For those who prefer heat to light, well, that's the kind of thing they like.

My whole thing about "gnostic" churches -- and I regret the misunderstanding -- was really an examination of what are the systematic consequences of thinking that Holy Scripture is the only authority. Not to say this is good or that's bad -- that should come later -- but to see how "the invisible church" is organically related to "Sola Scriptura", if indeed it is.

For me, the proposition that God would choose the exceedingly bizarre, often tacky beyond words, apparently superstitious Roaming Calflick Church`as an instrument of His grace is one which celebrates His overwhelming mercy, not one which should lead to a chorus of neener-neeners all around.

The Church I go to is a Dominican parish. The "Order of Preachers" is the official name of the Dominicans. And they do preach, I think VERY well.

And when I come up to one of them bubbling over with "What a great sermon that was!" they almost always say, "Praise God." And they're right - and I've been on the other end of that. It's nice to hear what a terrific preacher I am (if only) but what I used to clamber up into the pulpit FOR was for people to leave the service saying what a wonderful God GOD is!

There's the gift in the preaching, and there's the gift in the hearing, all gifts, maybe following much effort and sturm und drang, maybe not, but always gifts.

That's central to me.

Two comments and then I have to go and not come back until late tonight.

(1) When I was most junior clergydude at the Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS the dean (boss) lamented that one of the members who was a car dealer always gave him a really nice car every couple of years instead of pledging to the church. Yeah, there's a lot of, "Hey! Act pompous! That's what we pay you for!" (and not a few clerics eager to comply!)

(2) What I love about Peter is that he so often gets it wrong. (Like moi.) He tells Jesus that if he's the Messiah and all he just CAIN'T go to Jerusalem and get killed! He wants to put up tents on the Mountain of the transfiguration (oral tradition has it that he also had a design for bumper stickers and window decals in the works); He totally wusses out (not that I wouldn't have) at Calvary! and then he wusses out again over the eating with gentiles.

You remember in the Return of the King movie Gimli says something like, "Certain Death? Small Chance of Success? What are we waiting for?"

I think that attitude is about the only explanation (after the flesh) for God's giving Peter whatever pre-eminence(if any - we can argue abotu that later) whatsoever. It's like he's saying, "Nobody would think that any courage, wisdom, or sanctity THIS doofus ever shows could be innate. They'll know it was from Me!"

(I have this feeling that if I make it to purgatory or heaven or whatever, I'm gonna have some 'splainin' to do.)

Gotta go. Fun talking with you. Praise God!

Thank you for your reply and question!

apostello – to send, also pempo

There was a man sent [apostello] from God, whose name [was] John. – John 1:6

But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent [apostello] me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me [pempo], hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, [apostello] him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.- John 5:26-39

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent [pempo] me. – John 14:22-24

apostolos – a delegate or messenger, one sent.

The term was used to describe the twelve chosen by Jesus as well as Barnabas and Paul.

Now the names of the twelve apostles [apostolos] are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother; - Matt 10:2

[Which] when the apostles, [apostolos] Barnabas and Paul, heard [of], they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, - Acts 14:14

Apostleship is a gift of the Spirit and not limited to the twelve (I Cor 12: 28)

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, [apostolos] secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [Are] all apostles? [apostolos] [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. – I Cor 12:28-31

Now to get to the meat of your reply. You said:

I ask because I think it is in the concepts around those words that we on the RC/EO sides find a tertium quid between usurping God's authority and saying the Church has no authority.

As in I Cor 12, I aver the members of the body of Christ have different gifts, authorities and responsibilities. Not everyone is an apostle, not everyone is a teacher.

I asked God in earnest prayer what my gift in the Spirit is (we all have at least one.) The reply was that I am an encourager - like Barnabas was to Paul and the new converts. He has confirmed this many times in my life as He puts me in positions to encourage my brothers and sisters in Him who may have become weary or weak kneed in the face of circumstances of life (the "weeds" such as facing death, sickness, depression, politics, peer pressure, bitterness, science.)

As to those who are gifted to be apostles, I suggest it is very important to remember that God and not man is the One who gives the gift. Moreover, anyone gifted as an apostle must remember this always - because a lack of humility will lead to ruin both for himself and those around him in the body of Christ ("get thee behind me, Satan" - Matt 16):

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent [pempo] him. – John 13:12-16

As I have said before, about half my family is Catholic - and all of my family are Christian. We are all members of the body of Christ.

My main objection to Catholicism is that it goes beyond the words of God, teaching as commandments of God the doctrine of men. [Mark 7:7] But I have that same objection over all the others, Eastern Orthodox, Calvinism, Arminianism, Mormonism and so on. It is nothing “personal.”

Nor do I discourage my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly much more comfortable relying on the doctrines and traditions of their faithful religious leaders. We are all different gemstones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (to repeat a favorite metaphor.)

Christ chose twelve very different apostles, accepted seven very different churches. We are looking at a seven-faceted diamond from different aspects, but it is the same diamond, the same Light.

I expect to see all of my family in heaven – and you too, dear Mad Dawg!

Maranatha, Jesus!

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