On the heels of a record-breaking run in theaters, Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers will air on TBN Dec. 22 and then again Christmas Day – giving families another opportunity to watch a film that has garnered rave reviews from moviegoers.
Christmas with the Chosen will make its broadcast television debut on TBN on December 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern and will air again on Christmas Day at 2 p.m. Eastern. It is also available on other platforms, including The Chosen app.
The film, which includes a Nativity-themed episode of The Chosen along with music from Christian artists, grossed more than $14 million during its run – a Fathom Events record. It also broke the Fathom record for out-of-the-gate ticket sales during the first 12 hours. Fathom was the theatrical distributor.
It has a 96 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film has been so popular that it’s received mainstream attention, with a story in USA Today and a feature on ABC’s Good Morning America, which interviewed director Dallas Jenkins, the film’s director. Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and Maverick City Music sang “Joy to the World“ on Good Morning America.
The new episode of The Chosen follows Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem.
“We would not have done this [film] if we didn’t have something to say – if we didn’t believe God had something profound to say,” Jenkins told Christian Headlines. “And when it comes to The Chosen – whether it’s the stories we tell, or the content we release or the merchandise we release – we never ever do it just as a gimmick or just as a marketing opportunity. It’s always because we genuinely believe there’s something new and spiritually profound that we believe can be said. In this case, it’s our portrayal of the birth of Christ.”
The episode, he said, reflects the humble beginnings of Christ’s ministry on Earth.
“Joseph is trying to make room for Mary to be born in the stable, and he has to scoop out a big pile of manure,” Jenkins said. “That single moment, to me, sums up a lot of what the story is about.”
Related:
3 Things to Know about Christmas with the Chosen
Photo courtesy: ©Angel Studios
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.