His Story (ADVENT-URE DAY 12)

The Bible teaches us, I believe, and as our Faith Radio Advent Guide, "The Story For the Ages" highlights on today's entry, God can use authorities to accomplish His purposes. That is a principle seen throughout the Scriptures, as leaders, good and bad, are placed inside the plan of God.  Even leaders who can be viewed negatively: from Pharoah to Pilate, we can see His wise plan unfold.  

One political leader who was used greatly in the plan of God was Caesar Augustus.  He is the subject today, on Day 12 of our Christmas Advent-ure. Luke chapter 2 (ESV) relates:
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Don't miss this - the time of Caesar Augustus was chosen to be the "time" that was "fully come" to send the Messiah.  And, God raised up a political leader in order that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, and by so doing, to fulfill Biblical prophecy.

Jesus came to earth to bring salvation - that is the cornerstone truth of the Christmas story. But, there are interesting historic and prophetic dynamics at play.

This past Tuesday night, ABC Television aired a documentary called, Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas.  I'll be honest, the thought of a Hollywood actor who has not really been associated with Jesus or Christianity seems a bit odd.  I haven't watched it yet, but we intend to. And, it just may be worth it.  But, I cannot endorse it.

Movieguide, in its review of the special, said that it "...shares the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It seeks to portray everything in an accurate light and clearly presents the Gospel. The special is filmed in a unique way and will hold viewers’ attention, especially those who enjoy historical facts. It has a strong Christian, biblical worldview that offers enlightening insights into what the birth of Jesus would have been like at the time and within the culture surrounding it. Kevin Costner does a fantastic job narrating and guiding the special."

Plugged In says: "Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas doesn’t denigrate Christmas pageants, but Costner does think that some important details from Jesus’ birth story often get left out of them: Mary and Joseph first hearing the news, baby Jesus’ presentation at the temple, the Holy Family’s later flight to Egypt due to Herod’s rampage. The First Christmas presents such scenes and more in its depiction of the Christmas story, hoping to give viewers a fuller view of what happened in those days."  And, its review concludes by saying: "...families with older children should be able to use this special to provoke a fruitful conversation about the birth of Jesus Christ."  Both reviews mentioned the violence that is depicted in the documentary.  

Podcast host and commentator, who is a Christian, Steve Deace, posted on X: "...Overall it was well done and goes into both the historicity and theology of The Nativity. He hosts it himself, and it's clear this is personal to him. I would definitely recommend when it comes out next week. America is also going to hear one of the biggest stars in Hollywood history say on network TV that he believes in the Resurrection. That was unthinkable even a couple of years ago."

The Christian Post interviewed Costner and presented some of his personal perspective in a recent article, which said:

According to Costner, his decision to host the special represented an intentional step into more explicitly faith-focused storytelling. He stressed the importance of "keeping Christ in Christmas" throughout the special.

"When I decided to do this, I felt it was really important," the "Horizon" director said. "I make sports movies, cowboy movies and dramas, adult movies, if you will, and sometimes you're not always dealing with your faith. People may not think of me in that way. I wouldn't have done this if it weren't important to me, because of how I was raised. I was raised in a Baptist church."

He went on to say: "Everyone agreed that I should explain my entry into religion," adding, "I didn't want to just be a famous face in front of a religious story. I wanted to be very human about it. The story is the story, and I felt that if I humanized myself a little bit, maybe the entry into a story we think we know so well becomes more human, too."

Convinced yet?  Yes, I'm a bit skeptical.  But, I think that if there is truth - about Jesus, about how He came, and especially WHY He came, then there could be some benefit.  And, Plugged In notes that there is a "brief presentation of the gospel" at the end.  Costner says in the documentary: “But many, including myself, believe [Jesus] didn’t stay in that cave for very long,” adding “and that He rose from the dead, saving those who would believe in Him.”

The Christian Post article includes these comments:

"I invited the cynic to sit with us," Costner said. "They don't have to believe, but they do recognize that this story has endured. Will the names we see today still be remembered for thousands of years, for good or bad?"

Reflecting on what the message of Christmas means to him now, after spending hours immersed in the story of Jesus' birth, Costner said he's reminded, more than ever, of human frailty and need for a Savior.

"For Christians, it centers on the birth of this child, the promise that He was coming, and the message He would bring of peace, of how you treat your neighbor, and how you live morally under very tough conditions," Costner said. "It's a chance to refocus, to recalibrate, to take stock of the people who matter to us."

It's especially relevant at Christmas that the presentation of the story of Jesus can provide those who believe in Him an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about Him. So, this documentary could be useful from that perspective.  And, by these accounts, Costner provides a thorough and authentic presentation.

And, as Steve Deace intimates, this could represent a greater acceptance of the real meaning of Christmas to the culture at large.  Rather than shy away from or denigrate Christianity, ABC is showcasing it.  For us, we can be reminded to showcase our own faith in Jesus and not, as Paul says in Romans 1, not be "ashamed" of it.

But, culturally and corporately, while the serene scene of the Nativity, with Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds, Wise Men, and animals can provide an amazing visual of what occurred that night in Bethlehem, we can also think more deeply about what it all means: that God sent His Son into a dying world so that we might be saved and have new life in Him.  He suffered a cruel death at Calvary, but rose from the dead three days later and He is alive today, seated with God the Father and resident in the hearts of His people.