Christian was born in Los Angeles and raised in Hollywood, His passion for film came at an early age. His mother, Lita, was a personality on the radio station KMPC, a music and entertainment station. She took him to the many movie premieres she covered in her broadcasts. He also performed live radio commercials for the station. By age 5, he had a contract with the Marcella Bell Talent Agency in West Hollywood and was soon performing on live television broadcasts. By age 10 his mother married Raymond D. Bowman, a jazz and classical music impresario and music critic who encouraged Christian's writing and artistic ability. His step-father later owned an art gallery in Beverly Hills where Christian was inspired by the artists showing there, including Innocenzo Daraio, Mae Babitz, Leonora Cetone Starr, and Flavio Cabral. Raymond's mother Vesta was also a huge infleunce on Christian, encouraging and mentoring him in the appreciation of classical music. At age 12 he met legendary dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis, who also encouraged his love of art and music. In 1969 Christian volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force where he was trained as a graphic designer. He created orientations and briefings with the 62nd Military Airlift Wing (MAC), where he was also a member of the Base Honor Guard. He then helped produce military training films with the Aerospace Audiovisual Service (MAC) and worked with one of the first units to make films on videotape, rather than film stock. He received an Honorable Discharge for his service. By 1973 he moved to San Francisco where he freelanced as a graphic designer, creating numerous posters, brochures, print ads, and collateral materials over the years.