"Better a fallen rocket than never a burst of light."
~ Tom Stoppard, The Invention of Love

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Nativity: Episode 2 (2010)

 
While we’re moving into the more widely-known story, we’re still on precursor events:  Elizabeth’s pregnancy, news of Caesar Augustus’s census, etc.  In this episode, Mary has learned that she’s pregnant with the Messiah, and she doesn’t know what to make of it.  Part of her hopes it was only a dream, and her visit to Elizabeth is a confirmation mission.  She’s confused, humbled, frightened, ponderous, and overwhelmed; you’re really reminded of how young she is, and how enormous her situation is.
 
Meanwhile, the three magi are beginning their journey.  I like that the legendary Christmas Star isn’t actually apparent yet – rather, they’ve studied the movement of the stars and are predicting a phenomenal event based on current trajectories.  This places a greater emphasis on faith, the belief that the star will be there, and it’s their place to meet it when it appears. 
 
Balthazar proves to be perhaps the most grounded of the magi.  When their associates scorn the idea of going off in pursuit of a star, he considers the journey’s length, its dangers, and the possibility of angering Herod or the Romans.  Gaspar only has eyes for the sky, and Melchior is up to his neck in prophecies, so it may be Balthazar who ensures that they make it to Jerusalem in one piece.
 
There’s an excellent scene between Balthazar and Melchior, where Balthazar asks the older man whether he truly believes that the star will point the way to the Messiah.  Balthazar believes in God, but he thinks the days of God directly interacting with the people through signs and shows of power are long past.  It’s really interesting to see, because I’m accustomed to that attitude nowadays – “Miracles are for the Bible.  God doesn’t work like that anymore.”  Even though the Bible spans eras, I’m used to compressing them into generic “Bible times.”  But in truth, for Balthazar, it’s been ages since Abraham or Moses or David, and I can see why he might feel God is far away from him.
 
Also, PC looks absolutely ridiculous riding a camel; I love it.

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