it so often happens when I read your words that I feel like my innermost yearnings, questions and hopes tumble together into something coherent and beautiful, that I could never have shaped myself. Thank you for this profound reflection. It has made my Advent all at once deeper and more understandable. I’m so grateful for your work.
Just a heads up, the novel and movie are VERY different. Both have the central plot point of infertility (women are infertile in the film, while in the book, men are infertile), but while the film has the main character undergo a conversion of sorts and practice self-sacrifice for the sake of the woman and her child (you're right, it's very much a St. Joseph character, and the director uses a lot of Marian imagery as well), the novel has the man ultimately exploit the woman and her child to secure his own power. Both have that child be, in a way, the hope for mankind, but in the film that hope is seen as worth dying for while in the book it's the ultimate source of power. (As a result, the book is WAY more depressing, though also worth reading for its own sake as a separate sort of story).
I did a paper on this film in college as part of my philosophy degree. In it, I argued that voluntarily giving up the ability to have children would result in much the same sort of world as losing that ability, and that a philosophy based on pleasure ultimately results in that sort of society. I had a professor or two call me an extremist for that paper, but the older I get, the truer it seems to hold. And the more precious the Incarnation becomes.
Had a sleepless morning, quiet house, nursing baby...and took time to watch the movie and ponder. Our pastor this weekend gave a homily on St. Joseph and his call (and ours in baptism) to the slow work of God in bringing about His kingdom. He mentioned how fear was his obstacle (the angel says 'Do not be afraid.') I appreciated both your reflection and his as Advent themes on the longest night. Thank you! Come Lord Jesus, come and be born in our hearts.
it so often happens when I read your words that I feel like my innermost yearnings, questions and hopes tumble together into something coherent and beautiful, that I could never have shaped myself. Thank you for this profound reflection. It has made my Advent all at once deeper and more understandable. I’m so grateful for your work.
That is so kind! Thank you!
Just a heads up, the novel and movie are VERY different. Both have the central plot point of infertility (women are infertile in the film, while in the book, men are infertile), but while the film has the main character undergo a conversion of sorts and practice self-sacrifice for the sake of the woman and her child (you're right, it's very much a St. Joseph character, and the director uses a lot of Marian imagery as well), the novel has the man ultimately exploit the woman and her child to secure his own power. Both have that child be, in a way, the hope for mankind, but in the film that hope is seen as worth dying for while in the book it's the ultimate source of power. (As a result, the book is WAY more depressing, though also worth reading for its own sake as a separate sort of story).
I did a paper on this film in college as part of my philosophy degree. In it, I argued that voluntarily giving up the ability to have children would result in much the same sort of world as losing that ability, and that a philosophy based on pleasure ultimately results in that sort of society. I had a professor or two call me an extremist for that paper, but the older I get, the truer it seems to hold. And the more precious the Incarnation becomes.
Good to know!
Had a sleepless morning, quiet house, nursing baby...and took time to watch the movie and ponder. Our pastor this weekend gave a homily on St. Joseph and his call (and ours in baptism) to the slow work of God in bringing about His kingdom. He mentioned how fear was his obstacle (the angel says 'Do not be afraid.') I appreciated both your reflection and his as Advent themes on the longest night. Thank you! Come Lord Jesus, come and be born in our hearts.
Sounds like some beautiful Advent reflecting! <3