Overview
- The special, titled “Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas,” airs Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC with next-day streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Costner, drawing on his church upbringing, hosts and narrates a two-hour program interweaving reenactments with insights from Christian theologians from Catholic and Protestant traditions.
- The production aims for historical realism, setting the Nativity against Roman occupation and the danger posed by Herod’s rule.
- Mary and Joseph are portrayed as vulnerable teenagers facing fear, social stigma, and real threats during their journey.
- Early reviews flag intense sequences, including depictions of violence, and caution that the program may be unsuitable for younger or sensitive viewers.