HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - "With the release of 'The Nativity Story,' Hollywood is finally putting Jesus Christ back into Christmas," Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission, has said about the film, which has been called a prequel to "The Passion of the Christ," which will be in theaters beginning December 1.
"Hollywood has recognized there's a gigantic part of the population that goes to church each week," Baehr said. "Go see 'The Nativity Story,' and tell your family and friends to do the same."
From New Line Cinema, "The Nativity Story" has been called the best movie about the birth of Jesus since nativity movies were first produced in the 1890s. The movie tells the story of the birth of Jesus "in a compelling, captivating, entertaining and inspiring matter that shatters expectations," according to Baehr, who has reviewed the film. "'The Nativity Story' is refreshingly dramatic, so much so that the movie will elicit tears at points," he wrote.
Reversing a trend in recent years that has gone in the direction of secularizing Christmas, some major retail corporations are now restoring the religious aspects of the holiday in their marketing.
The new trend has apparently come about because of increasing criticism from religious groups that have staged boycotts against major nationwide retailers.
For example, a Wal-Mart spokesperson has said, "We learned a lesson that 'Merry Christmas' is now a part of the vocabulary at our company."