I've only caught snatches of the BBCs Nativity, but two scenes interested me.
When Gabriel appears to Mary he doesn't tell her the news. There are no words from on high here. No, no, that would be oppressive and authoritarian. Instead he invites Mary to look within to the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit gives her an experience of the truth. A very modern (or should that be 'post-modern') take on revelation.
And faith? Well the Magi (from a very brief viewing) seem pretty much in the dark about the whole thing. Only one of them has any kind of certainty about what they are seeking. And even he keeps his cards close to his chest. They seem a lot more sure about the astronomy than about the Child. And what really matters is the journey.
Now, back to preparing our own nativity...
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Glen, you need to watch the final part of the Nativity. It is amazing! The Magi may offend some of your readers because Melchior is so clear about the identity and mission of Jesus, but it was glorious. I was in tears. We all were. Pure gospel. Melchior simply says that Jesus is Go Himself, the Word made flesh, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. They have all come specifically to worship Him.
Give it another chance and watch that final part. Glory!
I've been leaving feedback for the Beeb today.
Will do! I wasn't wanting to poo poo the whole thing at all. Just found those modern ideas of revelation and faith interesting. Happy Incarnation Eve.
I did groan when Gabriel told Mary to look within. But like Paul I thought the Magi were excellent. Loved the references to Balaam and the Star coming out of Judah.
Those Magi really knew who Jesus was. Which is kinda strange, because we all know that the Hebrew Scriptures are obscure until the Apostles re-interpreted them for us.
;-)
Gabriel was a big let down for me too.
I've only seen the first two so far, but it's really good - not perfect, but really good.
Tim - I thought that with the magi as well, disgraceful having these pagans able to interpret the Hebrew scriptures as plainly pointing to Christ! :P
Never spotted that in Balaam's final oracle before, nice!
I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab
and break down all the sons of Sheth.
(Numbers 24:17 ESV)