Barbara Robinson’s beloved short story “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is now on the big screen. In this classic tale, the Herdman siblings, aka “the worst kids in the history of world,” not only discover but also reveal the true meaning of Christmas. Originally published in 1972 as a short story in McCall’s magazine and later as a book, the film adaptation is creative, fun, and true to the original story. Publisher’s Weekly called it “one of the best Christmas books ever,” and one 7-year-old film critic I know called the movie, “great.” 

Abandoned by their father and left unsupervised by their mother who works multiple jobs, the Herdman kids are known for wreaking havoc around town. They are notoriously, even comically, bad.  

They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old broken-down tool house.  

When the Herdman children learn that the local church offers free snacks at Sunday school, they show up and, to the chagrin of all, “volunteer” for the lead roles in the Christmas Pageant. They take an unusual interest in the nativity story which, to the shock of many in the church, they’ve never heard. As they hear the biblical account of Jesus’ birth during rehearsals, they see themselves in the characters. For example, like Mary and Joseph are turned away at the inn, they too have been rejected. 

In the end, the Herdmans’ pageant performance is fumbly and chaotic—wise men unsure of where to go, Mary desperately clinging to her child, angels scaring the shepherds. However, their realness helps everyone see the story with fresh eyes. As the play closes and tears roll down the eldest, cigar-smoking Herdman girl’s face, face who is playing the role of Mary, all are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. In the end, everyone agrees that this was the best Christmas pageant ever. 

Robinson’s heartwarming story beckons audiences of all ages, especially those who are too familiar with the nativity story, to reconsider what God has given the world. After all, Jesus came for the sick, not the well. In a sense, we are more like the Herdman crew than we care to admit. As Paul said, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  

(Romans 3:23).  

The new film adaptation has hit big at the box office, grossing about $25 million since it opened in early November. Directed by Dallas Jenkins, of The Chosen, the film features a wonderful cast of actors, including Lauren Graham (of Gilmore Girls) and comedian Pete Holmes. But just like in the book, it is the kids who steal the show.  

And as they do, we are confronted with the down-to-earth reality of the Incarnation. Whether our sin resembles the harsh judgmentalism of church folk or the rebellion of the Herdman kids, the gift God gave to the world on Christmas is for all of us. And whether you choose to read the book or watch the film (or do both) this Christmas season, you will not regret learning more about the Herdman’s epic performance in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.