Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas

I had heard nothing ahead of time. School schedules, church schedules, and personal schedules had me nearly running in circles. But at just the right moment, I walked into the living room and the television was on, and I was drawn into a new telling of my favorite story: Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas.

Yes, I have heard the story told thousands of times in many different ways from my mother reciting to my brother and me at our bedside on Christmas Eve, to decades of Christmas pageants, to movies like The Nativity Story. This new presentation is honest, nearly raw. It is dramatic and personal and academic. Costner serves as presenter, sharing personal stories and Christmas memories. A team of teachers and authors set the stage for each step of the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to Egypt, and back. A talented cast takes us into the lives of Mary and Joseph in a convincing tale of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the coming of Messiah.

Not for Young Children

This is not a program for young children. There is no sugar-coating to mask the brutality of Herod and the evil of Roman oppressors. There is dirt, blood, sweat, fear, and pain. We are confronted with the fact that even in the best of circumstances, many babies did not survive the challenges of the times. The audience is reminded that it is impossible for people in our modern society to realize just how brutal they were. Witnessing whole villages murdered and crucifixions along the road–a modern individual would probably never get over it. But it was the world they lived in.

The Experts

Experts offering analysis, commentary, and historical information include Jodi Magness, PhD, Fr. Sean Raftis, Tao Hayshani, Lynn Cohick PhD, Vishal Mangalwadi, and Francis Chan. They walk the audience through scripture application, Jewish traditions, historical and archaeological facts, and a picture of what life would have looked like in first century Israel.

Breaking Tradition

For example, unlike the pretty Christmas card pictures, Mary and Joseph likely did not make the 90 mile trip to Bethlehem alone. They probably traveled with a group for protection from bands of outlaws, lions and bears, and Romans committing random acts of violence simply because they could. Unlike the tradition, the cave where the birth of Christ took place may have been below the home of a relative in Bethlehem, a crowded home due to family members coming for the census. It would have been improper for Mary to deliver in the midst of the crowd, or with men in attendance. There was likely a midwife on hand. These are all points to consider.

Mary and Joseph are portrayed by young actors Gia Patel and Ethan Thorne. They are interpreted as young people in love. I must admit that very thing appealed to me as a teenager when I read Marjorie Holmes’s Two from Galilee (one of my all-time favorite books). However, in Holmes’s book, Joseph was not a teen-ager and had a hard time with God as a rival when he found that Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit. Costner says, “Joseph was a good man, but even a good man can have his heart broken. God not only chose Mary, he also chose Joseph.” Joseph’s proposal after his revelation went something like this:

“Mary, will you give me your hand in marriage? You are the love of my life, and the mother of my Savior, the Messiah.” It gave me chills.

Watch it and see for yourself…

The program ended with Costner’s acknowledgement of the crucifixion and resurrection. He said, Jesus “taught us to love one another, forgive our enemies, take care of others, and live with humility.”

Following its original broadcast on ABC, the special became available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Catch it if you can. It offers so much to think about.