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Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 11/25/24

Leaning into Christmas. I don’t know about you but I’m feeling especially grateful and hopeful as Thanksgiving arrives and we head toward Christmas and a new year. Here’s hoping the media gatekeepers have gotten the very clear message that their audience is done with the shaming and division and are seeking content that offers tolerance for differences, understanding and forgiveness of past wrongs, gratitude for the blessings we have received and faith and hope in the future.

Toward that end, here are some things to look forward to.

First, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol podcast is back. The four-part audio drama presented by Hope Media Group and Compassion International that debuted last year (and which I reported on here) seems destined to become an annual tradition. Narrated by John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), the production stars Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Rudy, Stranger Things) as Scrooge. Highly recommended.

Meanwhile, Fathom has announced that, due to strong ticket sales for the film’s original five-day run, it has extended the theatrical run for A Drummer Boy Christmas Live: The Cinematic Concert Experience featuring the popular music duo for KING + COUNTRY and that the concert film will also open in more countries around the world (including Canada, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia). The production will now remain in theaters at least through December 12th with possibly more dates and locations coming. Check out ticket info here and the trailer below.

Discovering the World of Jesus: Ancient Treasures from the Holy Land is coming to Pullman Yards in Atlanta starting December 3, 2024 for a limited time. The city is the first stop on a nationwide US  tour designed to utilize modern science to bring authentic ancient artifacts from the time of the New Testament to life like never before. The interactive display combines archaeology and technology to unveil 350 genuine artifacts from the period, including what is thought to be ossuary of James the Just who many believe to be the brother of Jesus. Known as the Golan Collection, the privately owned artifacts are being shared by Oded Golan, an Israeli entrepreneur who has spent several decades curating this important collection. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets click here.
And don’t forget Kevin Sorbo’s live-event Christmas production of He Rules the World coming to the Hippodrome in Waco, Texas from December 11th to December 14th. Ticket info is here. As Kevin described it to me, “It’s gonna be a very Broadway kind of experience for people and tell the story of the Nativity. It’s a whole new different way to let people see the Birth of Jesus.”

Looking ahead to Easter, following the success of last year’s Season 4 theatrical run, 5&2 Studios will release The Chosen Season 5 in theaters (shot in cinematic format) over three parts beginning April 10th with the pivotal episode The Chosen: Last Supper. The international theatrical rollout will also include Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Poland, Philippines and India, among other countries. Later in 2025, the season will make its streaming debut.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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