"The Nativity Story" is a major motion picture about the year leading up to Jesus' birth and concluding with Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod's soldiers. The film presents a unique opportunity for us to visualize this well-known story as we journey through Advent and then celebrate the Christmas season in ways that are as inviting as they are inspiring.

Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons (through the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 7), The Tidings will run a weekly guide by Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte, taken from her book "The Nativity Story: A Film Study Guide for Catholics" (available from Pauline Books & Media, 3908 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230, 310-397-8676 or www.pauline.org).

The purpose of this film study guide is to assist in whole parish community catechesis and families in particular, to reflect, and have conversations about "The Nativity Story," using questions based on the Sunday's Gospel reading.

Preparation: See "The Nativity Story" as a family or with a small group. Post the weekly questions in a central place in your home so that you will remember to talk about them. Read the Gospel passage the night before, or before you leave for Mass. Use one or more of the questions as appropriate for your family.

Dec. 17: Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18.

---What can you do this week to put into practice what John the Baptist tells the people in the Gospel: to share with others, to give food to the hungry, and say good things about other people?

---In "The Nativity Story" the reasons for Jesus' birth are spoken of many times. John the Baptist preached the "good news" to the people in today's Gospel. What is the "good news," and how would you explain what it means to someone in your family or to a friend?