Actor visits

Kirk Cameron, a familiar face and supporter of Liberty University, visited Friday, Sept. 26 to encourage students during Convocation and to give advice to cinematic
arts students.

“I kind of feel like your Uncle Kirk,” Cameron said as he took the stage in the Vines Center. “… I’m not just an invited speaker. I feel like I’m part of the family.”
Cameron spoke to students about one of his newest projects, a movie titled “Saving Christmas.” Cameron is the mastermind behind the movie, coming up with the idea after considering all the negativity that surrounds the Christmas season.

“I love the Christmas trees. I love the characters. I love the songs. I love the food. I love the season,” Cameron said. “… But if you notice, there are some people that really want to put a big, wet blanket on this. They want to snuff out a lot of what I love and I know you love. … I decided that it was time for someone to speak up and settle these things once and for all and save Christmas from the pagan Scrooges and religious nitpickers.”

Cameron is the executive producer and one of two main actors in the film, which is set to release in 400 theaters Nov. 14. According to Cameron, the movie features friends and family of Cameron and is aimed at enlightening people about the meanings behind major Christmas traditions while maintaining the aspect of entertainment.

“It educates people and teaches, but it’s also meant to be fun and funny and inspiring,” Cameron said.

According to Cameron, the film focuses on the myths and traditions of Santa Clause and the Christmas tree and addresses the nativity as well.

“I know that if people will watch, it will result in them being able to embrace all of Christmas, all of our traditions, and just be able to lean into all the joy it should be,” Cameron said in an interview. “It’s so easy to get stressed out, … and I want to show them that all of our traditions, even the fairy tales, even the things that the pagans have perverted … all point to heroes of the faith and point to God’s creation and point to the glory of Christmas. And so we can embrace all of it, by knowing what it’s really all about.”

During his Convocation address, Cameron encouraged students to “make the most of Christmas” without getting caught up in all the complaints.

“(D)on’t miss one opportunity to share the joy of the season this year,” Cameron said. “And don’t buy into the complaint about commercialism this Christmas. …. Remember, this is a celebration of the eternal God taking on a material body, so it’s right that our holiday is marked with material things. … Our rich Christmas traditions are so full … of truth, if only we had the eyes to see them. … We need to infuse old symbols with new meaning. Forget what the pagans want us to see. You tell them what they need to see.”

In addition to his Convocation appearance, Cameron shared practical advice for entering the film industry as a Christian with approximately 100 cinematic arts students. During the session, Cameron fielded questions from Assistant Professor of Cinematic Arts Scotty Curlee as well as students in attendance.

For more information about “Saving Christmas,” including a list of theaters showing the Nov. 14 premiere, visit savingchristmas.com.

BROWN is the editor-in-chief