History of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Although now a motion picture, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” began its existence in written form. Author Barbara Robinson first published the story in McCall’s magazine. She later adapted the story into a children’s book published in 1972 which became an international best-seller. The story’s popularity led to the production of both a stage adaptation and a television movie.
In late 2023, Dallas Jenkins announced his signing as the director for the feature film “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Jenkins, famous for his production and direction of the multi-season series “The Chosen,” stated this film was “the movie I’ve most wanted to make my whole career.” Jenkins compared the movie to “The Chosen” pointing out that both aim for a similar goal. They take the story of Christmas and the story of Jesus” down from stained glass windows and pretty paintings” to reveal “what it actually is.”
The Storyline of “The Best Christmas Ever”
The movie line that “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world” provides an inkling of what’s to come. A small town church prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its annual Christmas pageant. When the long-time director of the pageant falls and cannot run the show, Beth’s mother Grace steps in. Beth relates the ensuing events from her perspective. The first step required casting the roles for the pageant. Cue the Herdmans.
Six siblings belong to the Herdman family. No father is in the picture, and their mother is rarely around. Thus, the kids run wild stealing lunch money and food, smoking cigars (even the girls!), and burning a resident’s shed down, When Beth’s younger brother mentions free dessert at church, the Herdman’s check it out and proceed to take the pageant’s starring roles by intimidating other contenders. The oldest, Imogene, is cast as Mary, one brother as Joseph, her younger three brothers as the wise men, and their youngest sister as the angel who calls to the shepherds.
The Herdman children, who’ve apparently never darkened the door of a church, become intrigued with the Christmas story, but they stir things up with questions about it. Straight-laced church ladies pressure Grace to remove the Herdmans from the show. After twists and turns, the show does go on with surprising results.
Lesson #1 From “The Best Christmas Ever” – Embrace Imperfect People Like Jesus Would
The judgmental church ladies wanted to toss the Herdman children out on their ears. But what would Jesus do? He did not come for perfect people. In fact, His mission involved providing a way of salvation. All we like sheep have gone astray, so are any of us better than the Herdmans of the world?
Jesus spent His time on Earth ministering to the imperfect and the outcasts of His time such as tax collectors and prostitutes. The Herdmans clearly fit the description of imperfect and outcasts. Shouldn’t the church have embraced them like Jesus would? Stop and think of the Herdmans when considering avoiding imperfect people in life. Aren’t they the very people who we should embrace?
Lesson #2 From “The Best Christmas Ever” – Offer God Your Best
The Herdmans put aside the props for the Magi’s gifts and brought something of their own to offer Baby Jesus. What did they desire more than the annual Christmas ham given to them by charity? Imogene tendered this precious gift before the manger with tears in her eyes.
What do we offer Jesus at the manger and throughout the year? Is it our best? Or it just our leftovers? Is it something we don’t want or something we don’t want to part with but He deserves it? Stop and think of Imogene when faced with a decision to give of your time, money, or talents to Jesus.
Lesson #3 From “The Best Christmas Ever” – Dig Deeper
Hearing the Christmas story for the first time sparked the Herdmans’ interest. They asked questions when they didn’t understand or wanted to know more such as why Mary would put her baby in “wadded clothes” or what happened to Herod. With Beth’s help, they even did research at the library. These children engaged with what they heard and did not simply passively listen.
How many times have believers heard the Christmas story and familiar Bible passages? Do we tune out when we hear or read them now? Is there nothing more we can learn or God can teach us from them? Dig deeper to fully comprehend the story or passage and how it may relate to us.
Lesson #4 From “The Best Christmas Ever” – Jesus Can Transform Anyone
“Where they are now” information provided at the end of the movie advises viewers Imogene grew up to marry, bear five children, and always be around for them. What a transformation from the bullying, thieving juvenile delinquent she was a a teenager. But her encounter with Jesus transformed her. Imogene turned into the person she wanted to be rather than the bad one church members saw her as.
The same is true for every person. No matter where they start, Jesus can transform them. What they have done or been in the past doesn’t preclude that change nor does how many times they mess up after becoming a believer. Those in Christ are new, and the old passes away as 2 Corinthians 5:17 states. Embracing that concept compels us not to write off anyone, no matter how bad, including ourselves.
Faith Lessons From “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Dallas Jenkins’ movie of Barbara Robinson’s book not only offers good family entertainment, but it presents wonderful faith lessons. It urges embracing imperfect people as Jesus would do, offering God our best, digging deeper into Bible stories, and recognizing Jesus can transform anyone. The best response to the movie is not a round of applause but applying the faith lessons from “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” all year long,
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In