For the first time in its three seasons, theatres in Canada will feature the highly anticipated Christmas Special, Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night, for a limited number of showings. Whether you’re already a dedicated fan of The Chosen or have yet to be introduced, this year’s Christmas production will immerse you in the Christmas story contextualized by historical drama, while highlighting seven musical performances and three monologues, plus a special appearance by Andrea Bocelli, also joined by son Matteo. Other notable music performers join in this retelling of the most well known biblical story, and the origin of the most celebrated holiday on the global calendar.
Viewers will experience the birth of Christ through the eyes of His mother, whose pregnancy stained her reputation, labeling her impure – and a shepherd boy who is considered ‘unclean’. The drama weaves together earlier Christmas episodes for a fresh perspective. Audiences need not be familiar with the rest of the series to enjoy the Christmas special. With people often more spiritually open this time of year, Holy Night provides the perfect opportunity to invite others into a joyful discovery of God’s greatest gift to humanity.
Passion and excellence
If you are skeptical about productions with biblical themes, be encouraged. Launching Season 4 in January, The Chosen, now a global phenomenon, challenges the stigma often surrounding faith films. Creator, writer and director Dallas Jenkins and the entire team are passionate about offering excellent, top-tier content to both the curious and the long-time believer. They succeed in every aspect, contextualizing the narrative in a realistic rendering of culture and humanity during first century Israel. The disciples are vulnerable to their weaknesses, struggling with Jesus’ divinity, with faith, and with each other. It’s not hard to relate. We meet the perfectly human and divine Jesus (played by Jonathan Roumie) who brings deep compassion and understanding – interspersed with a healthy sense of playfulness – to the world He loves. The series provides a close-up of the politically motivated climate affecting religious and government leaders who feel threatened by Jesus’ miracles and popularity.
The Chosen has become a workplace water cooler topic, with 600-million episode views in 175 countries. Now dubbed in 50 languages, it is moving towards a goal of 600 subtitle translations and one billion views. The series is credited by critics and viewers alike, for its historical and biblical accuracy, stirring drama, genuine humour, and life-changing impact. It is a high quality, compelling production about the most influential man on earth – a tool for introducing people to Jesus and deepening the faith of those who already know Him. It comes from a place of honesty about how He loves, and uses, seriously flawed human beings to bring about His kingdom on earth.
While the Christmas special includes beautiful music and monologue, the dramatic scenes provide the first-time viewer a compelling introduction into The Chosen as it depicts the biblical narrative with accuracy and sensitivity.
Check your local Cineplex, Landmark and independent theatre listings between December 12 and 17 for tickets to Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night.
Season episodes of The Chosen are available on most streaming platforms including Yes TV, Apple TV, Netflix, Peacock and Super Channel (not available on Amazon Prime in Canada). It can also be viewed for free on The Chosen app, or on www.thechosen.tv. DVDs are available on www.thechosen.tv.
Marion Van Driel delights in her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother; her soul is fed by both composing and composting. Music, words, form and colour are ingredients on which she thrives. She considers her garden a gift where family and friends gather to visit, heal, reflect and celebrate. Called as writer, artist, worship leader, gardener and (sometimes reluctant) follower of Christ, she bears evidence of God’s abundant grace without which she’d be someone else entirely.
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