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<\/source><\/picture>Grammy Award-nominated songwriter Adam Anders is behind some of the most well-known musical projects, including “Glee” and “Rock of Ages.” But he believes God was using those mainstream projects as training for his directorial debut, \u201cJourney to Bethlehem.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in training for years,\u201d the Grammy Award-nominated songwriter and producer told The Christian Post.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nearly two decades ago, God put the idea for a live-action musical about the Nativity, from Mary and Joseph\u2019s engagement until the birth of Jesus Christ, on Anders\u2019 heart \u2014 but it wasn\u2019t until recently that he felt called to put his extensive training toward a faith-based project.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a process, and I’ve been working with the best for the best in the business for the last 17 years, and you learn things,\u201d Anders reflected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in school. Obviously, I was involved in many stories that weren’t things that I would want to tell as a storyteller. But that’s one of those things that we all deal with in all of our jobs: How are you in the world and not of the world? Nothing is more front and center than living in Hollywood and working as a Christian. You’re kind of a man on an island. It’s been hard at times, but I felt like that’s where I’m supposed to be; I don’t think all Christians should disengage from culture. I think if we can affect culture where pop culture is created, that’s where we should be. But now, I\u2019m at a part of a time in my life where I\u2019m ready to tell my stories. And this is the most important story in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hitting the big screen on Nov. 10, \u201cJourney to Bethlehem\u201d stars Fiona Palomo (\u201cOuter Banks\u201d) as Mary, with Milo Manheim (\u201cZombies\u201d) playing Joseph. Antonio Banderas plays Herod, while rapper Lecrae plays the angel Gabriel. Joel Smallbone of for KING & COUNTRY and his wife, singer Moriah, also star in the film.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGod orchestrated this movie, the people that He brought into it,\u201d Anders said. \u201cEvery single person involved in this wanted to be there, and it was personal to them. Even Antonio Banderas, he’s a very, very strong man of faith. And he wanted to tell the story, and it’s been amazing to see how it’s been orchestrated, and I’m just kind of along for the ride to some degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
A \u201cmusical adventure for the entire family,\u201d “Journey to Bethlehem” features classic Christmas songs and new pop-styled holiday tunes written for the movie. Though infused with humor \u2014 usually thanks to the Wise Men, who contribute some comic relief \u2014 it tells the very human story of a burdened young woman, a conflicted young man and an evil king. It\u2019s the first musical released from Affirm Films, the Christian branch of Sony.<\/p>\n
Anders, a lifelong Christian whose parents were in the ministry, said he believes music is a conduit to share the Gospel with a wide audience. Music, he said, can “penetrate the soul” in ways that mere words cannot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to find a way to bring this story to people who maybe aren’t believers and do it in a way that’s not watered down, but also it’s digestible for everyone. And that’s a balance \u2026 I think music is a great way to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because \u201cJourney to Bethlehem\u201d is a modern retelling of the biblical account, Anders said the film takes some creative liberties. For example, “in the Bible, they didn’t sing and dance to pop songs,\u201d he said. And with the portrayal of the three Wise Men, Anders said he was inspired by how they are commonly depicted in Nativity scenes and paintings, even if not entirely scripturally accurate.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that taking creative license with a Bible story can be \u201ctricky\u201d and stressed he was committed to sticking to the Biblical narrative wherever possible. Every day, before shooting, Anders said he prayed on his knees, asking God to give him the wisdom to tell the story in a way that would further the Kingdom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI started every day of the shoot on my knees, praying that God would use this and use me to tell it the way He wanted it to be told,\u201d he said. “Hopefully, I was able to stay true to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a lot of non-Christians in the crew, or maybe people who had been in the church before, and it was healing even to be a part of it on set,\u201d he added. \u201cI said, \u2018If nobody ever sees this movie, this was still a mission field. It still accomplished something.\u2019 And it’s just been really amazing to see the power of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anders said he hopes \u201cJourney to Bethlehem\u201d becomes an enduring classic that not only entertains but also sparks conversations about the true meaning of Christmas.<\/p>\n
“Elf” is a great movie, but that’s not Christmas,\u201d he said. \u201cI want people to start asking questions about this story. I want parents to be able to show this to their kids and their kids go, \u2018Tell me more.\u2019 This is just a little piece of the story. I hope it starts a conversation. I think it can reignite faith in someone who is struggling \u2026 there is joy after you’ve seen this movie, you feel better, not because of what we did, but because of what the story is about. It brings hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
And after decades working in Hollywood, Anders said he sees \u201cJourney to Bethlehem\u201d as \u201ccounter-programming\u201d to some of the dark content he\u2019s seen emerge in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s a lot of dark content being made in Hollywood. I love this as counter-programming to that. I love that this brings joy and light, but number one, I want people to sit down every Christmas and go, \u2018This is what we are celebrating,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJourney to Bethlehem\u201d hits theaters on Nov. 10.<\/p>\n
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n