THE CHOSEN: The Shepherd
A beautifully made introduction to the birth of Jesus.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. “The Shepherd” is a beautifully made short drama about the birth of Jesus, with powerful jeopardy, good plot points, superior costumes and set design, and strong acting. Its central character is a crippled shepherd who longs for the coming Messiah and faces rejection from religious leaders and other shepherds.
The episode offers a moving way to introduce children, grandchildren, or anyone unfamiliar with the story of Jesus to the Nativity. Its Christian, biblical foundation is clear, and the 25-minute running time makes it especially accessible.
You can watch this family-friendly episode for free at www.thechosen.tv.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAs THE CHOSEN begins with the Nativity, this first episode follows a crippled shepherd raising a little lamb with a blemish. When the lamb is rejected at the temple and the shepherd is excluded from the synagogue and shunned by other shepherds, he continues longing for the promised Messiah.
Then an angel announces the Messiah’s birth. The shepherd hurries to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus and discovers that the arrival means more than he expected.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an excellent short film. “The Shepherd” has powerful jeopardy and good plot points, while its costumes, set design, and acting are all superior.
Dallas Jenkins’ direction gives the episode a dramatic and beautiful presentation. The result is a polished, accessible introduction to the Nativity and to the larger series about the life of Jesus.
The Worldview
“The Shepherd” presents a very strong Christian, biblical worldview based on the Nativity Story in Luke 2. The episode centers on the birth of Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, and a shepherd who has been looking forward to that promise all his life.
The story also values compassion for people who are wounded, rejected, or shunned. The shepherd is mocked and excluded because of his disability, while the arrival of Jesus brings hope and welcome. The episode’s worldview is openly Christian rather than merely spiritual, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Luke’s account declares the heart of the story: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<strong>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
</strong> Very strong Christian, biblical world view based on the Nativity Story in Luke 2; <strong>
Foul Language
</strong> No foul language; <strong>
Violence
</strong> No violence; <strong>
Sex
</strong> No sexual content; <strong>
Nudity
</strong> No nudity; <strong>
Alcohol Use
</strong> No alcohol use; <strong>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
</strong> No smoking or drugs; and, <strong>
Miscellaneous Immorality
</strong> Temple priest rejects crippled shepherd’s offering of a blemished lamb, people shun crippled shepherd.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
The shepherd continues longing for the coming Messiah even while he is rejected by others. How can God meet us when we feel excluded or overlooked?
Psalm 34:18 · Luke 2:10–11The priest rejects the shepherd’s blemished lamb. What does this episode show about the difference between human rejection and God’s welcome?
1 Samuel 16:7 · John 6:37The angel announces the birth of Jesus as good news. Why is Jesus’ birth good news for all people?
Luke 2:10–14The shepherd has been waiting for the Messiah all his life. What does faithful hope look like while we wait for God’s promises?
Psalm 130:5 · Romans 15:13The Final Word
This is a beautiful, dramatic, family-friendly introduction to the Nativity, with excellent acting, design, and direction. “The Shepherd” can help your family encounter the story of Jesus together. Our answer is clear: WORTH WATCHING.
