This year Kevin Costner is back on TV, not as a cowboy or detective, but as a guide through a very old story. Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is a two-hour holiday special that looks at the Nativity — the birth of Jesus — with a mix of dramatized scenes, expert insight, and Costner’s own narration. It is made for people who love the Christmas story and for those who are curious about how the story lived and changed over time. (People.com)
What the special is about
The program aims to tell the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus in a way that feels both respectful and more historically grounded than many familiar Christmas images. Instead of leaning on sweet or heavily modernized visuals, the special tries to show the dangers, the uncertainty, and the real human emotions behind the events. It mixes short dramatic scenes with commentary and moments where Costner helps explain the background and meaning of certain traditions. Many reviews and descriptions call the approach “gritty” yet reverent — meaning it does not make the story less sacred, but it does try to make it feel real and urgent. (Christian Post)
Who made it and who is in it
The special is directed by David L. Cunningham. Kevin Costner serves as the host and narrator, guiding the viewer through scenes and interviews. A cast of younger actors plays Mary, Joseph, and others who appear in the dramatized moments. The production also includes experts and commentators who provide historical and cultural context for viewers who want a deeper understanding. Credits and cast listings are available on official sites and databases. (IMDb)
When and where to watch
The special premiered on ABC, and it aired on December 9, 2025 at 8 p.m. Eastern. For people who could not watch it live, the program became available the next day on streaming services such as Hulu and Disney+ in many regions. If you want to watch it now, check those streaming services or the network’s on-demand page where it may still be listed. These platforms are the main places broadcasting the special in the United States. (The Economic Times)
Why Kevin Costner wanted to do this
Costner has spoken about how the Nativity story touched him from a young age. He has described how church, music, and family traditions shaped his view of the story. In interviews around the special’s release, he said he wanted to invite both believers and curious viewers to sit with the tale and to feel its human side. That personal interest explains why he chose to host a program that mixes reflection, personal connection, and historical re-imagining instead of a purely dramatic or purely documentary piece. (People.com)
What makes this telling different
There are many Christmas shows and films. What sets this one apart is its attempt to be more historically attentive while still keeping the emotional heart of the story. For example, the special re-considers the familiar image of Jesus being born in a warm stable. Some historians and the special’s creators point out that a cave or a lower, rougher place was more likely in some regions and periods. The filmmakers used sets, costumes, and lighting that aim to place the viewer in a harsher, drier landscape rather than a cozy manger scene. Those choices are meant to remind viewers how difficult life could be in those times, and to show Mary and Joseph as frightened, brave, and very human. (Newsweek)
The tone: respectful and curious
The special does not push a single religious viewpoint on viewers. Instead, it invites reflection. Costner’s narration is calm and plain, and the show often slows down to let scenes breathe. For many viewers this feeling of quiet attention is welcome during a busy holiday season. The program is not a sermon; it is more like a guided story time for adults, mixing questions, history, and moments of imagined drama. Critics and faith-focused outlets have noted that the tone is reverent — it treats the story with seriousness without trying to reduce it to a simple message. (Plugged In)
Visuals and music
The special uses earthy colors, natural light, and simple costumes to achieve realism. Music is used carefully — not loud or overpowering — to support emotional moments without turning them into spectacle. The filmmakers avoided holiday-pageant kitsch, aiming instead for scenes that look like a lived-in world from long ago. This decision helps keep focus on the people in the story rather than on decorations or modern sentimentality. (Rotten Tomatoes)
How people and critics reacted
Reactions are mixed but generally respectful. Outlets that cover faith and family programming praised the special for its reverence and for treating Mary and Joseph as real people facing danger and anxiety. Some mainstream reviewers noted that the program’s approach may be too sober for viewers who want a bright, festive holiday show. Others appreciated that it offers something different — a chance to slow down and think about the meaning behind many Christmas customs. Overall, the special seems to find its audience among viewers who prefer thoughtful storytelling over light entertainment. (Christian Post)
Who will enjoy this special
If you like quiet, thoughtful holiday programs that focus on meaning more than on spectacle, this show will likely appeal to you. Viewers who are interested in history and in how traditions form will find the explanations and reconstructions interesting. Families who prefer a serious approach to the Nativity can watch it together, though parents should be prepared for scenes that feel more realistic and less sanitized than a church pageant. People who expect classic Christmas songs and comedy sketches might find this program slower and more reflective than expected. (The Economic Times)
How to watch with others and talk about it
Watching the special with family or friends can open gentle conversations. You might pause after a scene and ask simple questions: What do you notice about Mary and Joseph? What surprised you about how the story is shown? Do any images make the story feel more real to you? Talking in this way can help viewers of different ages and backgrounds connect to an old story in a new way. The program provides a chance to explain the history behind familiar Christmas customs and to share personal memories tied to the season. (People.com)
A few thoughtful cautions
This special blends drama and commentary. It is not a literal textbook translation of ancient texts, nor is it a full documentary. The filmmakers use artistic choices to suggest how life may have been. For viewers who want strict historical certainty or who prefer ritual liturgy, other resources — like scholarly books or religious services — will offer more detail or a different emphasis. Think of the special as a doorway: it invites curiosity but does not answer every question. (IMDb)
Final thoughts
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is an invitation. It calls people to look at a very old story with fresh eyes. If you are ready to slow down this holiday season and listen to a thoughtful, slightly gritty retelling of the Nativity, this special is worth a try. It is a blend of storytelling and reflection, hosted by a familiar voice who has a personal history with the story. Whether you watch for faith, family, or simple curiosity, the special offers a calm space to think about what the first Christmas might have felt like for the people who lived it. (People.com)