THE FOURTH WISE MAN

THE FOURTH WISE MAN - 1985

RATED - NR but most likely G.

RATINGS - 41 Amazon (5/5), 4,707 Netflix (3.5/5), 173 IMDB (6.7/10).

STARRING - Martin Sheen (Artaban), Alan Arkin (Orontes)

STORY - Based on the novel by Henry van Dyke, 'The Story of the Other Wise Man', it is the story of Artaban, a Magi and medical doctor who leaves his practice and wealth behind to find the King of Kings he believes has been born in Jerusalem. His father assigns his servant Orontes to go along and protect Artaban and promises to set him free when he returns safely. Artaban brings three precious and valuable gifts to present this new King. Pursuing every lead they find, they are always just missing Jesus at every turn. Their journey lasts 33 years culminating on Easter Sunday. Though fiction, it incorporates many Biblical facts and is a fascinating tale of one man's search for meaning in life and how that changes him along the way. Arkin also does a great job as the reluctant, humorous servant more interested in returning home and getting his freedom than finding this Messiah. Although not a big budget film, the acting is good and the story is very meaningful. Add this to your Christmas watch list for the whole family. It's available for instant play on Netflix. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM - 2007

RATED - NR but probably G. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 49 Amazon (5/5), 3,440 Netflix (3.9/5), 16 IMDB (9.1/10)

STORY - Was the Star of Bethlehem as told in Matthew's Gospel of the New Testament true or was it a myth made up later by early Christians? What if you could go back in time and actually view the ancient skies at the time of Jesus' birth? This film attempts to answer the first question by doing the 2ND. Using state of the art software, the same as used by NASA and other agencies, it is possible to examine the skies of Bethlehem in the days and years surrounding the estimated date of Christ's birth. The stars and planets move in such mathematical precision that it is possible to project forward and backward with incredible accuracy using this software. That in itself is so amazing when you consider the 100 BILLION galaxies that contain 100 BILLION stars each. Each one has a precise orbit and path that never deviates. Is it possible for all this to be coincidence? What Frederick Larson, author, lecturer and attorney, attempts to show is that it was astronomically possible and indeed probable that at the time of Jesus' birth the Planets Jupiter and Venus converged into what looked like a very bright star to the naked eye. He lists the nine characteristics of the star outlined in Matthew and then shows how his theory satisfies all nine of those conditions. Does this prove the birth of Jesus or that He was God come in the flesh? No, but it is more evidence (not necessarily proof) as to the historical accuracy of the Bible and that the Bible narrative is not destroyed by science. If you are a follower of the one called Jesus, you will be encouraged and strengthened in your faith. If you are not, it will cause you to at least stop and consider the claims of this ancient, yet modern, story of the miracle of Jesus' birth. Worth watching just for the lesson on astronomy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/20/2008

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WEBSITE