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Have you seen the new movie The Nativity Story? This
is an intriguing film about the birth of Jesus in theaters these days. Fr. Dominic DeLay, OP
has provided the following discussion questions to help make your experience of the movie a richer
experience. He is a filmmaker and Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, if interested you
can learn more about him by clicking on his link in the sidebar.
The movie combines the nativity stories from Matthew 1-2
and Luke 1-2. If you have time, read all or part of the Biblical versions. These versions and
their use in the movie are summarized at the end of this sheet.
It is recommended that you take your time with the
questions that interest your group and not attempt to answer them all.
A special set of questions for young children and families
is included.
THE STORY
- Why do you think Matthew told the nativity story? Luke?
- Why do you think the filmmakers combined the nativity
stories from Luke and Matthew?
- What did the movie leave out? Why?
- What was added from non-Biblical tradition? Why?
- What else was added by the filmmakers? Why?
YOUR REACTION
- What was your favorite part of the movie? Why?
- What is your favorite part of the Biblical versions of
the nativity? Why?
- Are there any parts of the Biblical versions that you’re
noticing now for the first time?
YOUR VERSION
- If you had made the movie, what would you have done
differently?
- If you had written a gospel, would you have told the
nativity story? How would you have told it differently?
- Why is the nativity story important today? What does it
say about God?
MARY VS. ZECHARIAH
- Do you think Zechariah was being punished when he was
prevented by God from speaking?
- Why wasn’t Mary prevented from speaking? What, if
anything, was different about her response to the angel?
MORE ABOUT MARY
- What did you think of the movie’s depiction of Mary?
- The actor who played Mary, Keisha Castle-Hughes, was the
girl in the movie Whale Rider. How are the two characters similar?
THE OTHER CHARACTERS
- What do you think of the movie’s depiction of Joseph? Of
Mary’s parents? Of Zechariah and Elizabeth?
- The story of the magi was greatly expanded for the
movie. What does their story say about the relationship between faith and science?
FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
What is your favorite part of the story of Jesus’
birth? Who is your favorite character? Why? Why is it an important story? What does it say about
God?
A COMPARISON OF MATTHEW, LUKE, AND THE MOVIE:
MATTHEW 1-2:
- Jesus’ family tree (not in movie)
- Joseph’s dream and the birth of Jesus
- The magi visit Herod and Jesus
- Joseph’s dream and the flight from Bethlehem to Egypt
- The massacre of the infants
- Joseph’s dream and the journey from Egypt to Nazareth
LUKE 1-2:
- Introduction (not in movie)
- Zechariah and the angel
- Mary and the angel
- Mary visits Elizabeth (Mary’s song)
- John is born (Zechariah’s song)
- Jesus is born (after journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem)
- Shepherds visit Jesus (angels’ song)
- Jesus is named and presented in the temple (Simeon’s
song) (not in movie)
- 12-year-old Jesus in the temple (not in movie)
THE MOVIE’S USE OF MATTHEW AND LUKE:
- The massacre of the infants foreshadowed
- Zechariah and the angel
- Mary and the angel
- Mary visits Elizabeth
- Joseph’s dream
- John is born
- The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
- The magi visit Herod
- Jesus is born
- The shepherds and magi visit Jesus (Mary’s song)
- Joseph’s dream and the start of the journey from
Bethlehem to Egypt
- The massacre of the infants
December 2006 |
