On Monday, after a week of wading through the election results and wrapping up our sermon series on faith and politics, I felt ready for a change of pace. I needed a break from all the news, so I went to Tinseltown to watch a movie—one that brought both laughter and a few happy tears. I’ve never written a movie review for the newsletter before, but after these past few months, it felt refreshing to share something lighter. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a wonderful family movie that captures the spirit of Christmas in a fun, fresh way, beautifully bringing Barbara Robinson’s beloved story to life.
Many of us know the Christmas story so well that we could recite it in our sleep. We picture the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph beside the manger—all part of a story that’s as familiar as the carols we sing. But this movie shows us that there’s always something new to discover, even in the oldest stories.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever centers on a small-town tradition—a Christmas pageant that, for 74 years, has gone off like clockwork, with angels in costume, kids dressed as shepherds, and Mary and Joseph by the manger. But everything changes when the Herdman kids—known by everyone as the town troublemakers—show up and take over the lead roles. These kids lie, steal, even smoke cigars (yes, even the girls!), and are certainly not anyone’s idea of a “proper” Nativity cast. But when the Herdmans get involved, the whole town of Emmanuel is in for a Christmas pageant like they’ve never seen.
What makes this movie so special is that it lets us see the Christmas story through the eyes of these rough-around-the-edges kids, who are hearing it for the first time. They ask real questions. They see things in the story that we might miss. They remind us that Mary and Joseph were ordinary people, in a tough spot, who didn’t have everything perfectly together—just like the rest of us. Through laughter and even a few tears, this film draws us to see Christmas as not just beautiful and holy, but messy, real, and full of grace.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is also a reminder that Jesus came to love all of us—not just the “good” and “proper” folks, but also the rough and rowdy ones. In the film, one character named Alice insists, “Jesus would not have suffered Herdmans!” But we know, of course, that he absolutely would have. And by the end, we get the feeling that Imogene Herdman may understand Mary and Jesus better than anyone else in the room.
Sometimes, the joy and beauty of Christmas can feel hidden under the daily mess of life, just like freshly fallen snow gets covered in grime. But God loves us anyway, and through all the “muck and mud,” we’re invited to see His light and hope shining through.
If you’re looking for a Christmas story that makes you laugh, makes you think, and gives you a fresh look at the Nativity, I’d encourage you to gather the family (or a car load of friends) and watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. May it remind us all that the gift of Christmas is for everyone—and that it makes all the difference.
See you in church!
Pastor Adam
