“Love God and love others as yourself. I think that’s what it comes down to, the two greatest commandments,” American actor Jonathan Roumie says when asked what lessons from The Chosen resonated with him the most.

The groundbreaking American Christian historical drama based on the life of Jesus has been around since 2017, running for four seasons. In April of next year, its season 5 will premiere. “It’s gonna be so intense and beautiful and a little bit of heartbreak as well,” Roumie said, hinting at the upcoming season. “Each season, we try to give more than what we gave from the previous season, the show gets a little bit bigger. God just seems to be bringing us through the series in a way that is profound and mysterious and I really hope you enjoy it this coming Easter.”

The Chosen star Jonathan Roumie

But ahead of that milestone, Roumie, who plays the role of Jesus in the multi-season series, visited the Philippines for the first time last November 22 for the premiere screening of Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night which will open exclusively at SM Cinemas on December 11.

Roumie visited the Philippines for media interviews and graced the special fan screening, exuding humility and sincerity. To many followers and fans of The Chosen, Roumie’s visit was like an answered prayer; this kind of reception shows how the series has touched people’s lives through the years. It has transcended a mere form of entertainment, becoming a constant reminder and guide on faith and devotion.

Taking on the role of Jesus has had such a profound, life-changing impact on Roumie, too. It’s a career-defining project that challenged his depth as an actor and deepened his relationship with God. 

In the age of social media, where distractions are aplenty, Roumie considers it a mission to contribute to telling the story of Jesus in the modern setting. Roumie, a ministry leader, also starred on the big screen in Lionsgate’s 70’s period drama, Jesus Revolution, playing the real-life, enigmatic hippie street preacher Lonnie Frisbee.

One of the fans of The Chosen is Philippine entertainment icon Gary Valenciano, who met Roumie at the premiere screening of Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night. Praising Roumie’s portrayal, Valenciano said, “Ever since I was a child, the way I’ve always felt Jesus talking to me is exactly the way Jonathan portrays Him to be. You know, very tender, but very firm, very loving but with authority with every word that he says. That resonates with me really well because I’ve also been given a chance to speak with other young people and I do try my best to bring Jesus into their lives in a way that is different, in a way that would make them feel how precious they are to Jesus. You know, Jesus was human, and that’s what you see in The Chosen. Life changing, there were times I have to pause (when watching) and just realize the goodness of God presented this way for the world. I think it’s great, and what the world needs right now. And with social media being so much a part of our mind, I think The Chosen can be a part of our hearts.”

Jonathan Roumie and Gary Valenciano

It’s not an easy feat to breathe life into his role, but Roumie has offered himself as an instrument to ultimately communicate what the life of Jesus could mean to each one of us. “I think it’s been essentially given to me and my life as a mission,” he told Metro.Style. “I think God sort of given me this role as a kind of a mission or a ministry that I take very seriously, and I hope to just honor Him and I will continue to do that as long as He allows me to. And whether that’s The Chosen or something else that’s non-Biblical, I would still always continue to offer my work up to God because, without the gifts He has given me, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”

This Christmas, remember and celebrate what this season is truly about by watching Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night which tells the story of the nativity. The Christmas Special also features The Feast Worship in a musical video along with the other global gospel artists. 

Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night will open exclusively at SM Cinemas on December 11. Tickets are now available here.