What happens when a group of filmmakers, actors and storytellers decide to tell the Christmas story—not from the hillside with shepherds or from the journey of the wise men, but through the eyes of a young girl asked to carry the Son of God?
That’s the heart of "Virgin Birth," a brand-new K-LOVE On Demand Christmas short film that reimagines the Nativity through Mary’s perspective. The film follows a young woman navigating fear, uncertainty and the reality of being misunderstood. It steps into the moments where faith is costly and obedience requires courage far beyond her years.
Created in-house by K-LOVE teammates and filmed at the historic Capernaum Studios, the project explores the courage, faith, fear and surrender at the center of the Christmas story.
Listen to the full behind-the-scenes conversation with the cast and creative team in the podcast below.
For producer and director Daric Gates, the idea began stirring nearly two decades ago.
“We’re all familiar with the nativity scene,” Daric shared. “But what struck me years ago was Joseph’s plan to quietly divorce Mary. That tells us there was tension. There was fear. Mary lived in a culture where she could have been stoned to death if no one believed her. And yet she still said ‘yes’ to God. That’s surrender.”
With that realization, a deeper story began to take shape—one that highlights the cost of obedience and the beauty of trusting God’s plan even when it feels impossible.
A Human Lens for a Holy Story
What makes "Virgin Birth" so powerful is how human the story feels. These aren’t distant figures preserved behind stained glass. They’re real people facing real emotions. Through grounded performances, the film invites viewers into the honesty of their fears, the tenderness of their relationships and the hope that rises as God’s plan unfolds.
Actress Violeta Ortega, who portrays Mary, describes the role as deeply personal.
“Mary was so young and yet she said, ‘Let it be done to me,’” Violeta said. “I studied the culture, the customs, the world she lived in. But beyond that, I sat with the weight of surrender—faith and fear existing together.”
Filming the birth scene was especially moving.
“It felt like time stood still,” she recalled. “The room was still. The lighting was soft. Everyone was completely present. It was sacred.”
Throughout the process, the word that shaped her portrayal was surrender—not as absence of fear, but as the bravery to keep moving despite it.
Joseph's Internal Battle
Actor Lee Peña, who plays Joseph, embraced the challenge of building out a character Scripture tells us very little about.
“Joseph is often seen as steady and simple,” Lee shared. “But that one verse—‘he planned to divorce her quietly’—holds so much emotion. This was a man whose world had just fallen apart.”
Portraying Joseph meant exploring disbelief, pain and ultimately obedience.
“I’m someone who likes to know what’s coming,” he admitted. “So imagining Joseph’s life turning upside down—and still choosing surrender—was powerful.”
One theme Lee voiced resonated deeply:
“The difference between a hero and a villain is how they respond to trauma.”
And it’s that contrast—between fear that surrenders and fear that destroys—that threads through every character.
A Milestone for K-LOVE On Demand
"Virgin Birth" represents a meaningful milestone for K-LOVE On Demand. It is the platform’s first original narrative short film—created by teammates who brought their gifts in filmmaking, acting, production and storytelling together for a shared purpose.
“For so long, many of us used our talents in the film industry to build our own careers,” Daric said. “Now, we get to use those same gifts to build God’s kingdom.”
Actor Nathan, who portrays King Herod and also served as a producer, helped secure the location and played a significant role in shaping the creative direction. He and Daric spent time exploring Herod’s motivations—not to glorify darkness, but to give viewers an honest look at what fear, pride and control can do to the human heart.
Elizabeth: A Safe Place in a Sacred Story
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is central to "Virgin Birth" and the tender relationship between these two miraculous mothers shines brightly throughout the film.
The actress portraying Elizabeth shared how meaningful that relationship became:
“Mary needed someone who believed—in her, in God’s promise, in the miracle happening inside her. Elizabeth gave her a safe place to land. That message matters so much today.”
She also emphasized one of the film’s most relevant themes: God’s timing is rarely our timing, but it is always right.
“Elizabeth waited decades to conceive. Mary wasn’t seeking this calling at all. But their stories converged at exactly the moment God intended.”
Herod’s Dark Mirror
Portraying Herod required diving into the motives of a man consumed by insecurity and fear. Nathan says playing Herod was a reminder that not everyone in Scripture responded with faith.
“Herod did the opposite of Mary and Joseph,” he said. “Where they surrendered, he grasped for control. That contrast is powerful and it still speaks to our world today.”
A Message Families Need Today
Throughout every interview, one message rose repeatedly: Faith does not mean the absence of fear. Faith is choosing to move forward even when fear is present.
Daric captured it beautifully:
“Trusting God is hard. But once we take that first step, fear loses its grip. That’s what we hope people experience when they watch this film.”
The cast also hopes viewers will remember something timeless:
God still uses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary plans, just as He did with Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth.
Watch the Film and Explore More God Stories
"Virgin Birth" is now streaming on K-LOVE On Demand.
To watch the full short film, visit KLOVEOnDemand.com.
For more faith stories, behind-the-scenes conversations and God-at-work moments, visit KLOVE.com/GodStories or listen to the full interview on the K-LOVE News podcast.
Merry Christmas, may this story of courage, surrender and trust draw you closer to Jesus this season.