Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, ‘The Nativity Story’ is a drama film revolving around the two year journey of Mary and Joseph’s life from leaving Nazareth to entering Bethlehem for the birth of Baby Jesus. Released in 2006, the movie was produced by Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey under the banner of New Line Cinema. The lead roles have been portrayed by Keisha Castle-Hughes and Shohreh Aghdashloo. The movie was released on December 1st in the United States, while in the European Union it was released on December 8th. Check out the story, plot and summary of ‘The Nativity Story’ in the following lines.
Story Of The Nativity Story
The movie begins with the Massacre of the Innocents being carried out. Teenage Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is married to Joseph of Judea (Oscar Isaac). She is visited by God and informed that she would be giving birth to a baby whom she should name Jesus. Later, Mary moves on to stay with her cousin Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdasloo) where she witnesses her to be pregnant despite her being too old to bear children. She is the wife of Zachariah (Stanley Townsend), a priest. She gives birth to a boy who is named John the Baptist. Elizabeth also comes to know about Mary’s impending pregnancy. Initially, Mary is scared to return home but Elizabeth confronts her and asks her to trust God. Mary returns back home noticeably pregnant which shocks Joseph and her parents. Joseph does not believe Mary and is immensely heart-broken.
He decides to divorce her quietly. But, the same night, he is visited by the same angel and informed that Mary should be trusted. Though Joseph now believes her, this results in the outcast of both of them from the town. On the other hand, the evil King Herod (Ciaran Hinds) learns about the prediction of a new king who would soon become the Messiah for his people. He orders everyone to move to their birthplace for the census. Since Joseph is a direct descendant of King David, he travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem covering a distance of 110 kilometers. Mary reaches the point of labor on reaching Bethlehem. On finding no space to stay, he is at last offered a stable by an innkeeper.
At the same time, the three Magi start traveling looking out for the King of the Jews. They had previously known that three planets will merge to form a great star. They visit the King inform about the birth of Jesus. Regarding himself to be the King of the Jews, he orders the Magi to visit the newborn Jesus and find out the location for him. Although the Magi visit the family at the stable, they do not return back to the King. Instead, they present well-known gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby and return home via different route. The King learns about this fact and thus, orders the infanticide of killing every boy in Bethlehem up to the age of two. Joseph dreams about this danger and hence, heads towards Egypt along with Mary and baby Jesus.
