"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 celebrate the Christmas season in ways that are as inviting as they are inspiring.

This online guide is an extract from "The Nativity Story: A Film Study Guide for Catholics" (available at Pauline Books & Media Center, by calling 1-800 876-4463 or ordering online at www.pauline.org).

While we recommend that each person (especially parents and catechists) has his/her own copy of the guide, this abbreviated version can assist in whole parish community catechesis and families in particular as households of faith, to reflect, and have conversations about "The Nativity Story" using questions based on the Sunday's Gospel reading. The guide is a way to bring faith and life together.

Preparation: See "The Nativity Story" as a family or with 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. 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45.

---What is it that makes you feel happy as the celebration of Jesus' birth gets closer?

---What can we do to welcome a new baby into our family or the parish?

Dec. 24: Christmas Vigil
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25.

---In the film, as Mary and Joseph are leaving for Bethlehem, Joaquim tells Mary, "You are a strong young woman." These are his first words of praise to her. In what practical ways can we assure that positive communication happens between the generations of our families?

---What can you do to be a person of peace in your family, especially at family get-togethers?

---Jesus is also called Emmanuel, a name that means "God is with us." What does your name mean?

---The Gospel is about Jesus' ancestry, traced through Mary. How can our whole family celebrate tonight as if we were there together when Jesus was born, as if we were present at the amazing event portrayed in The Nativity Story?

Dec. 25: Christmas Mass at Midnight and Dawn
Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14; Luke 2: 15-20.

---What does the fulfillment of God's promise of a Savior, celebrated each Christmas, and seen in The Nativity Story, really mean to you?

---In The Nativity Story we watched Mary and Joseph's difficult journey to Bethlehem. It was also a spiritual journey of faith and hope in God's promises. What can you do to take the next best step in your spiritual journey to being a closer friend and follower of Jesus?

---Have you ever been in a Christmas play? What was it like? What part did you play? As the Gospel and the movie shows us, all the characters are important, aren't they? Why do you think so?

---In The Nativity Story the shepherd tells Mary he has been waiting with hope for a gift. What is the gift all the shepherds receive on Christmas? How did this scene from the movie make you feel about Jesus, God's gift for you?

Dec. 25: Mass during the Day
Gospel: John 1: 1-18.

---How does St. John's Gospel outline God's plan for our salvation? Why is this Gospel important for us to contemplate at Christmas?

---Today's Gospel says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Which character in the film says almost the same thing? Why do you think the character says it?

---Whose birthday is today? What gift did you prepare during Advent to give him?

---According to the Gospel and The Nativity Story, who really is the child in the manger? What does he mean to our family and what gifts has he brought to us?

Dec. 31: The Holy Family
Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52.

---Joseph and Mary had to flee with Jesus to the safety of Egypt to get away from the threat of Herod's soldiers. What concrete step are you willing to make for the good of your family?

---As we see in The Nativity Story, Joseph and Mary loved Jesus very much. Mary and Joseph had to get up in the middle of the night to take Jesus to a safe place because he was in danger. What sacrifices are we willing to make so that our family will be safe and happy? How did Mary and Joseph's relationship in the film make you feel about marriage and parenting?

Jan. 1: Mary, Mother of God
Gospel: Luke 2:16-24.

---In the film and today's Gospel, the shepherds understood who Jesus is. Who is Jesus for you? How do you visualize your relationship with Jesus, the Word made flesh?

---Circumcision is a rite of initiation for Jewish boys called a bris and we see it in The Nativity Story when John the Baptist is circumcised and receives a name. What does your name mean? Why are names important to Christians?

---In the movie, after Jesus is born, we see Mary thinking about all that has happened to her. How do you feel when you think about Christmas? Why?

---Both the Gospel and The Nativity Story show us that Mary thought about, that is, contemplated God's marvelous involvement in her life when he asked her to be the Mother of God. What does God ask each of us to do, concretely, to grow spiritually through contemplation of the mysteries of our redemption?