Finding the right faces for the most famous story ever told is a massive gamble. Honestly, if you mess up the casting for a Nativity story, the whole thing feels like a high school play. But Dallas Jenkins and the team behind The Chosen have always had a knack for finding actors who feel less like "icons" and more like real, dusty, tired people living in first-century Judea. When it comes to the cast of Christmas with The Chosen Holy Night, the production basically pulled off a clever logistical feat by blending two different projects into one cohesive cinematic event.
It's not just a single movie. It's a remix.
Most people don't realize that Holy Night is actually a "best of" compilation that weaves together the very first pilot episode, The Shepherd, with the later Christmas special, The Messengers. Because of this, the cast list is actually a bit more expansive than you might expect for a simple birth narrative. You've got the "O.G." actors from the 2017 pilot rubbing shoulders with the now-famous series regulars.
The Faces of Mary and Joseph
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: there are two Marys.
Because Holy Night combines footage from different production years, we see the evolution of the show’s casting. In the earlier segments—the ones originally seen in The Shepherd—Mary is played by Sara Anne. She brings this incredibly youthful, almost terrified but resolute energy to the role. It’s a very different vibe than what we see later. Then, as the narrative shifts into the portions derived from The Messengers, we see Vanessa Benavente step into the role.
Vanessa has become the "definitive" Mary for most fans of the series. She’s older. She’s maternal. She has those eyes that look like they’ve seen a thousand years of history. Seeing both actresses in the same "event" is actually a cool way to look at the character's journey, even if it’s technically a result of the show's growing budget and scale.
Then there’s Joseph. Raj Bond played Joseph in the early pilot footage. He’s solid, quiet, and protective. Later, in the more recent footage, Yoshi Barrigas (who many fans know as Philip in the main series) actually played a role in the Christmas specials' wraparound content, though the focus remains heavily on the core Nativity cast.
Why the Shepherds Steal the Show
The real heart of the cast of Christmas with The Chosen Holy Night isn't the royalty or even the parents; it’s the outcasts.
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Aaron Himelstein plays Simon, the "Lame Shepherd." If you’ve watched the pilot, you know this guy. He’s the one with the broken leg who can’t keep up with the rest of the flock. Himelstein is a veteran actor—you might recognize him from Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Joan of Arcadia—and he brings a level of grit to the role that sets the tone for the entire series. He isn’t some glowing saint. He’s a guy who’s frustrated by his disability and just wants to belong.
Watching him limp toward the manger is arguably the most emotional beat in the entire production.
Then you have his fellow shepherds:
- Bozidar Smiljanic as Old Shep.
- David Amito as the other shepherd (who also happens to be a writer/director in his own right).
These guys aren't playing characters who know they’re in a Bible story. They’re playing guys who are cold, smell like sheep, and are genuinely confused about why the sky is screaming at them. That’s the "Chosen" secret sauce.
The Series Regulars and the "Framing" Cast
Since Holy Night was released as a theatrical event, it also features the actors we’ve grown to love over several seasons of the show. Jonathan Roumie, obviously, appears as Jesus. While the Nativity focuses on the infant, the framing of these specials often includes the adult Jesus or the disciples reflecting on the birth.
Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene) and Jordan Walker Ross (Little James) often appear in the musical performances or the monologues that accompany these specials. It’s a bit of a "greatest hits" ensemble.
One of the standouts in the Messengers portion of the cast is Luke Linn, who plays the messenger who interacts with Mary. The dialogue in these scenes is famously sparse. The show relies on the actors' faces to convey the weight of the Roman occupation and the quiet desperation of the Jewish people at the time.
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The Musical Guest List
You can't talk about the cast of this event without mentioning the musicians. In the world of The Chosen, the musical guests are treated as part of the storytelling ensemble. The Holy Night event features a massive lineup that essentially turned the theater experience into a hybrid concert-movie.
- Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli: They provide the powerhouse vocal moments that make the theatrical release feel "big."
- The Bonner Family: Their soulful, gospel-infused arrangements provide the rhythmic backbone of the special.
- Phil Wickham: A staple in the contemporary Christian music world, his presence connects the show to modern worship culture.
- Brandon Lake: Known for his high-energy performances, he brings a different texture to the traditional carols.
Wait, why does the music matter for the "cast"? Because in The Chosen, the music isn't just background noise. The lyrics are often used to bridge the gap between the first-century setting and the modern viewer’s perspective. When the Bonner Family sings, they are dressed in a way that feels timeless, acting as a bridge between the ancient cast and the modern audience.
Addressing the "Two Different Versions" Confusion
I’ve seen a lot of people online getting confused about whether they are watching a new movie or a re-run. Here is the reality: Holy Night is a "remix."
The producers took The Shepherd (the 2017 short film) and The Messengers (the 2021 special) and edited them together. This means you are seeing footage shot years apart. The lighting is different. The cameras are different. The actors are different.
Some people find it jarring. Others think it’s a beautiful way to see where the show started and where it is now. If you’re looking for a seamless, single-timeline movie, this isn't exactly that. It’s more of a celebration of the Nativity through the lens of The Chosen’s history.
The Casting Philosophy
Dallas Jenkins has often said he looks for "authenticity over celebrity." This is why you don't see massive Hollywood A-listers in the core cast. They want people who can disappear into the role. When you look at Vanessa Benavente, you don't think about her previous credits; you just see a mother who is trying to figure out how to raise the Son of God while living in a stable.
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What Most People Miss About the Cast
There is a subtle performance in the Holy Night special that often goes overlooked: the Roman soldiers. In the Messengers segment, the presence of the Roman military is a constant, suffocating weight. The actors playing these soldiers—often unnamed in the credits—have to do a lot of heavy lifting with just their posture.
They represent the "Old World" that is about to be disrupted by the baby in the manger. The contrast between the rigid, armored Romans and the soft, vulnerable cast in the stable is where the visual storytelling really shines.
Key Facts About the Production
- Director: Dallas Jenkins.
- Filming Locations: The early footage was shot in Illinois (of all places) on a friend's farm, while the later footage was shot on the massive permanent sets in Midlothian, Texas.
- The "New" Content: While much of the footage is recycled, the Holy Night edit includes never-before-seen performances and a newly recorded monologue from Jonathan Roumie.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you are planning to sit down and watch the cast of Christmas with The Chosen Holy Night, go into it knowing it’s a tapestry. Don't worry about the fact that Mary changes faces halfway through. Focus on the theme. The show is trying to tell you that these were real people with back pain, dirty fingernails, and complicated family dynamics.
The casting of the "Lame Shepherd" remains the highlight. It’s a reminder that the show’s primary mission is to highlight the "little people" of the Bible.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Compare the Marys: Watch the first 20 minutes and then the last 20. Look at how Sara Anne and Vanessa Benavente portray the "weight" of the pregnancy differently. It’s a masterclass in two different acting choices for the same character.
- Check out the Pilot: If you haven't seen the standalone version of The Shepherd, find it on the Chosen app. It has a raw, indie feel that sometimes gets lost in the big theatrical edits.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: The musical "cast" of Holy Night released several tracks separately. The Bocelli version of "The Lord's Prayer" is generally considered the standout.
- Look for the Cameos: Several of the show’s writers and producers often pop up as extras in the background of the crowded Bethlehem scenes. See if you can spot them.
The cast of this special represents the humble beginnings of what has now become a global phenomenon. It’s a bit messy, a bit mismatched, and surprisingly human—which is exactly how The Chosen likes it.