The Nativity Story

I just watched the superbly-crafted film, "The Nativity Story," still showing in most theatres all over Metro Manila. It highly deserves the endorsement and praise given by no less than officials from the Vatican, where it had its world premiere.

Among the things I particularly liked in the movie was the portrayal of the person of Joseph and his relationship with Mary. Among the most moving in the film were the scenes where Mary and Joseph were conversing with each other or simply journeying together. It truly shows how our holy Savior was born into a family of mutual love, self-giving and sacrifice. Another thing to watch out for is the fresh and creative portrayal of the three wise men as well as new perspectives on the persons of Joachim and Anna, Zechariah and Elizabeth. The soundtrack should also be something to look forward to, with its selection of beautiful music including traditional chants rendered beautifully and used meaningfully in the film.

The verse from the Book of Kings that was repeated twice in the film really struck me this much and in this way only now: "But the Lord was not in the storm, in the fire, in the earthquake... the Lord was in the still, small voice." Indeed, many tribulations came into the lives of the various characters in the film comparable to storms, fires and earthquakes. But in the midst of it all, there was the Lord, cold and weak and persecuted too, in the lowliness and poverty of the manager: the still, small Word of God to all mankind who not only visits us but pitches his tent among us to share our life.

Visit the site and download the wonderful Advent Calendar that they have. Go to the movies and watch it on DVD and wonder with amazement upon our Lord's humble but nonetheless marvelous bith into our world.

VENI, veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.

R: Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
nascetur pro te Israel!

VENI, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae. R.

VENI, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae. R.

VENI, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri. R.

VENI, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum. R.

VENI, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras. R.

VENI, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios. R.



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