They’ve already started – conversations, discussions and commentaries about ‘the real meaning of Christmas.’ As if it were a topic for debate, like what color to paint the living room. The holiday rom-com movies are posing their opinions, TV commercials are offering their points of view, and familiar seasonal songs are presenting all manner of Christmas sentiments.
How do you suppose people in a church would react if a gaggle of troublemakers showed up at auditions for their cherished Christmas pageant and demanded to be stars of the show? In “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” that’s exactly what happens. The Herdmans, six rabble rousing siblings deemed to be “the worst kids in the world,” decide to take over the town’s “sacred” tradition.
They steal schoolmates’ lunches, pelt neighbor kids with snowballs, use rough language, and terrorize everyone they encounter, including adults. How could youngsters like these ever be considered to take part in a calm, “we’ve always done it this way” presentation of Christ’s birth? This is what’s so compelling about the film directed by Dallas Jenkins, best-known as the director, producer and co-writer of “The Chosen” video series about Jesus Christ and His followers.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is at once heartwarming, humorous, thought-provoking, tear-jerking, and maybe even a little convicting. We know Jesus came to save sinners like us – but for sinners like the Herdmans, too?
In the minds of some, the all-too-familiar Christmas story might provoke a ho-hum attitude, maybe a bit of a yawn. Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus swaddled in a feeding trough because of the inn that had no room for them. Shepherds, sheep and other barnyard animals, wise men, and angels. We know that story. Been there, done that. This is where “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” triumphs. It affords an opportunity to look at this timeless biblical narrative with fresh eyes.
The Herdmans, you see, have never heard the story. They know nothing about Mary, or Joseph, whom Imogene, ringleader of the Herdmans, calls “Joe.” They’re astounded that a king – Herod – would want to kill a little baby. And the way the angel gets the shepherds’ attention isn’t quite what we have envisioned from the Scriptures.
Prior to the film’s release, Jenkins said capturing Robinson’s book for the silver screen has been a lifelong dream. He, his production team and the cast have done an outstanding job, its tone evoking such holiday classics as “A Christmas Story” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” And with an unapologetic declaration of the Gospel message.
In Luke 2:10, the angel declares to the lowly shepherds – who had no social clout in those days – “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Watching the Herdmans absorb the Christmas story and undergo a slow but certain transformation, like butterflies emerging from a nondescript cocoon, we realize perhaps more than ever that this “good news of great joy” truly is for all the people.
Isaiah 9:6 gives the prophecy, “For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Somehow, as we view this greatest story of stories through the eyes of a bunch of ragamuffins called the Herdmans, these words take on even greater meaning. Indeed, the true meaning of Christmas.
This is a film for the entire family. For many it will surely prove a highlight of the entire Christmas season. I’m eager to see it again.
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