Kevin Costner rarely talks about his faith, but is opening up for his upcoming TV special documenting the first Christmas celebration.

‘I’ve been a part of all kinds of stories, but to be able to narrate the birth of Christ, it seemed appropriate to me, given my history with the church,’ the Oscar-winning actor, 70, told Deseret News Monday.

 

 

Costner, who is promoting the ABC special Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas, spoke candidly about his devout upbringing to the publication.

I was raised in a church,’ said Costner. ‘I haven’t probably proclaimed that to the world, but anybody who knows me, knows that.

 

 

‘It’s been so much a part of my life – religion that has spread around this world.’

The Dances With Wolves actor-director said that religion spurred his ‘first performance’ at the age of four, as part of his church’s ‘annual nativity play,’ in which he had one line: ‘Hark.’

The Yellowstone star, in a preview for the special, spoke about the feelings he has during the holiday season.

 

 

 

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‘They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year,’ Costner said. ‘A chance for families to gather together and celebrate the amazing story of a newborn king.’

Costner continued, ‘Whether you’re a believer or just curious about the tradition, journey back with me, Kevin Costner, for the story of the first Christmas like you’ve never seen it before.’

Costner described the story of Jesus Christ as ‘incredibly special.

‘You choose to believe. I choose to believe – that doesn’t mean I know how to defend it when someone can come at me from different directions.’

Costner said that serving as narrator for the special felt ‘appropriate’ and that research for the job left him with ‘a richer, more profound perspective on the story.’

Costner opened up about the complicated dynamics in play in detailing the story of Christmas.

‘Imagine the idea that [Mary’s] unwed, she’s pregnant,’ Costner said. ‘There’s a level of shame that goes with that. There’s a boy just your same age.’

Costner touched on the vivid emotions linked with the religious story.

‘Now, there’s also this, this deep-seated fear, because there was always a promise that this person was coming, that would change the world and the idea that as a young girl, that you’re somehow (part of) this whole thing, that had to be overwhelming for them.’

Costner said he hoped to expose more people to the story of the holiday amid the usual festivities.

‘A lot of things get a lot of red and a lot of green, and there’s a lot of lights … sometimes we forget about the story a little bit,’ Costner said.

Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas aired on ABC Tuesday, and begins streaming Wednesday Disney+ and Hulu.