For Catholics, advent is not an excuse to eat daily chocolate bars from a calendar, but they are the four weeks that mark the way to Christmas. Four weeks that mark the beginning of the liturgical year and in which Christians prepare for the great event, the Birth of Jesus.
Many believers use this tense as a period of spiritual growthand -for this purpose- the Vatican published in 2002 a list of 6 recommendations that you can read here -in chapter IV of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. We want to give it a spin: we are going to relate each of the 6 tips to a good movie, to reflect on it and thus live Advent better through cinema.
1- Meditate on the faith and humility of Mary | “Full of grace”
The Vatican recalls that during Advent – a time that includes the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – the Virgin Mary is celebrated “frequently and in an exemplary way”. There are a good handful of films that deal with his figure, but the one that we highlight here is Full of gracea film set after the death and resurrection of Christ that proposes a profound and contemplative experience.
2- Avoid falling into consumerism | “Christmas story”
as you remember Maria Ximena Rondon in this article for acipresathe Holy See warns of “the custom of converting preparation for Christmas in a commercial operation, full of empty proposals”. In order to remember the simplicity with which Jesus came into the world and the attitude of solidarity towards the poor and forgotten that he preached, a very interesting movie Christmas story.
Released in 2009, it is the animated film adaptation of the literary classic by Charles Dickens. Despite not addressing a specifically religious issue, the film presents a lucid critique of hedonistic materialism and an emotional exaltation of a solidarity open to transcendence, based without complexes on Christian charity.
To treat the subject in a more mystical and profound adult film, we also recommend bread from heavenavailable in famiplay.
3- Set up the Nativity scene with the family | “The Bethlehem was armed”
The tradition of the Nativity figurines is deeply rooted in many families, and is one of the recommendations of the Vatican, especially for both parents and children “to come into contact with the mystery of Christmas”. Following the family trend, the children’s film The Bethlehem was armed introduces us to a group of animals that will become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas. Adventures and humor with a good dose of human and spiritual values.
4- Pray the Christmas novena | “Of Gods and Men”
The Christmas novena is an ancient and valuable practice of piety, which directly helps prepare the heart in the days leading up to the celebration. It is a chain of daily prayers beginning on December 16 and ending on Christmas Eve. Here you can find the textand we recommend the movie of gods and men to reflect on the value of prayer and the contemplative life.
- You can see of gods and men in filmin.
5- Delve into the passages of the Bible | “Nativity”
The Holy See recommended delving into the passages from the Old and New Testaments that are read during Advent, because they invite conversion “through the voice of the prophets and especially John the Baptist.” The movie Nativity places us in the historical period of the birth of Jesus, and allows us to enter in a tactile way in those facts.
It is worth noting – as stated here John Louis Valera– that the work has some controversial points regarding Catholic doctrine, since it is conceived from a Protestant point of view. Still, it presents various successes -such as his portrait of Saint Joseph– which make it worth reviewing for this Christmas.
6- Pray the Advent Wreath and prepare the Posadas | “Merry Christmas”
The crown of four candles that are lit Sunday after Sunday is a visible symbol of Advent, as well as the Spanish and Latin American tradition of the Posadas. As an accompaniment to these signs of external piety, we can reflect on the Christian value of peace and brotherhood -something typical of these dates- through the film Merry Christmas.
Directed by Christian Carion, it is the impressive true story that took place in the trenches of the 1st World War on the Ypres front in Belgium. On December 24, 1914, troops on both sides exchanged Christmas carols instead of bullets, gifts were given, and funerals were held for the fallen. A full-fledged Christmas miracle.