Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night

Music is so uplifting . After losing my mom I needed to hear joy. This filled me. This gave me hope. I didn't expect anything more than to feel again for at least a while. And I did. This is spiritual. This is religious. And it is warming and wonderful. I feel sad for those who were expecting a traditional form of storytelling and felt the need to write mean things. I was told by so many this would sooth me and that's exactly what it did. The voices are just wonderful. If you need some calm this season - or any time- and you just need to feel connected to something bigger than you this will do it.

The wonderful truth about this movie is it's focus on what Christmas is all about...the birth of the Christ child. The night sky effects where the shepherds were mesmerized watching the host of Angels knowing that something miraculous was taking place for all humanity to praise throughout all generations for the common folks and people of all classes and backgrounds is what is so humbling and fulfilling. This miraculous birth took place in common surroundings and not in a five star hotel is what was so beautifully portrayed here. The message is clear that Christ, the savior was born for all men as the three powerful kings came to a humble area to behold the Christ child...King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

"A young mother labeled impure. A shepherd boy considered "unclean". A never-before-seen performance from Andrea Bocelli highlights seven music performances and two beautiful new monologues."

I don't get all the review-bombing here considering all the features were spelled out in the tag-line.

Overall, I really enjoyed the films and the musical performances. Even the speaking/monologues were great. I felt they provided great natural breaks to the film that added a different pacing that I really enjoyed.

The messenger has such a unique feel given that it is a short film from years before the show's release. If I didn't know Shepherd & Messengers were separate films, I never would have noticed given how perfectly the two are woven together here. I found it to be an amazing and accurate portrayal on the Christmas story without feeling like an under budget rendition of the virgin birth.

I loved the Chosen Christmas Special last year but this year there was little new. The intro by director Dallas Jenkins, the Bocelli performance, Season 4 trailer, monologue by Amanda Jenkins, and flash forward with Mary M and Mary (Jesus mother) was new, but almost everything else was a repeat from last years special including the musician performances (other than Bocelli). . Why was the monologue done by Amanda (directors wife)? Why not a recognizable and much loved cast member? I wasn't particularly wowed by viewing on the big theatre screen either. It would play just as nicely on home theatre TV's. Sorry but this performance just didn't do it for me.

It was exactly what I expected based in the description and my wife and I enjoyed it immensely.

Be prepared for a modern church service with uplifting music, information about what's happening within the 'church' (Angel Studios), a sermon, mini-movie and closing music.

For those who didn't understand that going into the theater, it's unfortunate some of you left before the mini production of Joseph and Mary's trip to Bethlehem and search for a place to stay as well as the Shepherd's story.

If you have a chance, it is well worth your time, just understand what you are going to see and sit back and let it soak in.