I watched a couple of movies over the weekend and I really enjoyed them both.
The first - The Nativity Story -
While the story fell flat on excitement and adventure, it was a beautifully woven story that really hit home with me. I found myself crying at the birth of Christ and wanting so much to join the sheperds in their worship.
The content of the story was very well-written. I was afraid that the movie makers would "Hollywoodize" this momentous event, but they stayed true to the story and I was pleased. I think this is a must-see for anyone who celebrates Christmas.
Many parts touched me, but I want to focus on the talk of 'gifts'. When Mary and Joseph were outside of Jerusalem, on their way to Bethlehem, they met a Shepherd who offered the warmth of his fire and spoke of waiting for a gift. That evening he received the gift the world had been waiting for and he was priveledged to see it. This story touched me, because I felt like that shepherd - waiting for the gift, deliverance and mercy of God - to find that it came in the middle of the night.
I also loved how they kept referring to the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-12 - "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."
This is so profound. The world looks for the power and might of God in the mighty and strong things, but most often God is found in the soft and simple. The Jews look for a mighty warrior to deliver them and be their king (much like when they chose Saul), but God sent his son as a newborn baby. The deliverance he promised was not of a physical nature, but spiritual one. This still goes on today.
I also saw the parallel between Joseph (Mary's husband) and Joseph - the son of Jacob. Both were son's of Jacob, both dreamed. Both went into the land of Egypt and then brought deliverance to their people. Both worked with their hands (one an archetect, the other a carpenter).
I loved this movie and recommend all to go and see it.
The other movie I saw was quite the contrast - Casino Royale -
While this movie was filled with action from beginning to end, it never disappointed. I think this is possibly the best Bond I've seen to date. I don't think Sean Connery (who has held the crown in my opinion as the best Bond) could have pulled off this movie. Connery's bond was more suave and debonnaire and his mind outweighed his brute force. This new Bond (I haven't got his name yet) balanced brain and brawn together and created one heck of a secret agentman.
Most women would love him and most men would want to be him. Excellent job!
Well, that's been my review of this weekend movies.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
