The Nativity Factor is a short film competition to tell the story of the Nativity in the most creative way possible.
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I’m sorry Fr Bosco but that first one seems almost blasphemous – it makes me cringe.
What is wrong with keeping the sacred sacred and the holy holy?
Why be banal and crass? Is it any wonder the Churches are emptying and the young who seek are looking elsewhere for their spiritual nourishment?
I fully understand what you mean, Andrei. [The video that Andrei refers to is here; I have chosen another one to replace it above].
I think this might be worth exploring further. [I just picked the top ranking/viewed videos when I was preparing this post some days back]. It has been said that post-moderns joke about those things they treasure most. I think this is also part of the “catholic” tradition. But where do we draw the line between humour that respects and values what we treasure most and, as you say, banal, crass, and almost blasphemous? Personally, I never ever use the words “Jesus Christ” other than reverently. My normal, natural reverence would be to bow my head at the name of Jesus. And I wince when others use “Jesus Christ” in swearing (far more than other swear words). I appreciate that you drew attention to the first video, Andrei. And as I really can’t decide whether the video is respectful yet funny, or whether it is as you point out, I’ve decided to replace it with another one (others may of course object to the one I’ve now replaced it with!). Those who know me well will know that it’s not for a lack of a sense of humour on my part.
Blessings.
That video actually begins with a violation of the Third Commandment. We are so used to that now it might pass without notice – it hit me like a hammer blow though as did the use of “Jesus Christ” as an expletive.
The nub of the matter though is sacredness.
Humanity is created in the image of God, but we inhabit corrupt bodies which decay and die. Bodies with much in common with barnyard animals.
Through Christ we can glimpse we are more than barnyard animals and that a glorious future awaits. The Devil hates this and does everything in his power to keep us in the squalor of the barnyard.
Thus the telling of the nativity story in the form of a comedy skit – one little different from thousands of such things that vie for our attention throughout the year. A bit of mildly amusing fluff to occupy our minds before we move on to the next bit of tinsel.
The advent season has become a litany of After Shave commercials, public health warnings about of drinking too much and practicing safe sex, tinkly Christmas carols,things like that video and worse. All noise drowning out what the Devil doesn’t want us to hear – God is with us!
Have you ever noticed how shabby the Christmas tinsel looks on boxing day?
Again, Andrei, I think what you say helpfully opens up bigger discussions. It connects with other discussions about worship generally – which in so many places follows the model of being “little different from thousands of such things that vie for our attention”. Blessings.
I too wince when the name of Jesus is used as an expletive, but surely it’s fantastic that a mainstream UK TV Channel is running a competition for people to tell the nativity story in the most creative way possible in videos of between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. And thousands are clearly taking up the challenge.
The clip Bosco originally included made me laugh lots, stop and re-consider aspects of the human dynamics and emotions around that first Christmas.
I don’t know where you live, Andrei, but the opportunity for the Christian story to be well and truly out there in the ‘public square’ of national TV and po-mo film-making culture, would be a wonderful thing here in NZ, if the chance ever presented itself.