Director: David L. Cunningham
Cast: Kevin Costner, Gia Rose Patel, Ethan Thorn, Corinne Furman, Paulina Gálvez
Kevin Costner Presents The First Christmas is a 2025 American documentary-drama film directed by David L. Cunningham, in which Kevin Costner hosts a cinematic retelling of the Nativity story — the ancient account of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ, presented in an intimate and reverent style.
What is Kevin Costner Presents The First Christmas about?
The film takes viewers back two thousand years to trace one of history's most retold stories through fresh eyes. Mary, a young woman from Nazareth, receives news that changes everything; Joseph, her betrothed, wrestles with doubt and devotion. Together they undertake an arduous journey — on foot, through hostile terrain, under Roman occupation — toward a destination neither fully understands. Cunningham frames the account not as spectacle but as human experience: fatigue, fear, wonder, and quiet faith. Kevin Costner provides narration and contextual reflection, grounding the retelling within the broader sweep of ancient Judean history and the enduring cultural weight these events carry across faiths and centuries.
Cast & crew
Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker behind Dances with Wolves and the Yellowstone franchise, serves here as host and narrator rather than on-screen actor. Director David L. Cunningham brings a background in faith-based storytelling, and the cast includes Gia Rose Patel, Ethan Thorn, Corinne Furman, Paulina Gálvez, Mohamed Zouaoui, Chaouqi Abdellatif, and Anthony Barclay in the dramatic re-enactment sequences.
Context & significance
For Persian-speaking viewers in the diaspora — many of whom grew up in Iran with a deep awareness of Abrahamic tradition, whether through Islam, Christianity, or Zoroastrian cultural roots — this documentary holds particular resonance. The story of Mary (Maryam in Islamic tradition, revered as a figure of purity and devotion) and the birth of Jesus (Isa) carries meaning that crosses religious boundaries. Iranian and broader Middle Eastern communities often share a profound connection to these narratives, and Cunningham's human-scale treatment makes the material accessible without feeling sectarian. The film is available on K-Time in its original English audio without Persian subtitles.
Where & how to watch
Kevin Costner Presents The First Christmas is available now on K-Time. Watch directly on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Stream with your K-Time account and cancel anytime.