When you think of Christmas movies, you may think of your favorite classic film, a hilarious romantic comedy, the typical sappy Hallmark Christmas Movie, or a nativity Christmas film. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is actually all of the above, but it’s not just about the birth of Christ, it’s about how His birth impacts our hearts and lives.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about 6 disgruntled kids who grew up on the wrong side of town,” explains Mason Nelligan who plays the eldest boy from this family, Ralph Herdman. “They were never really introduced to the topic of church or Christmas, and somehow found their way into a pageant just for the sake of food.”
Through acts of bullying, the Herdmans are all given lead rolls in the pageant. The townspeople, especially those in the church, were ready to cast them out. But, during the first rehearsal, the Herdmans ask questions about the actual birth of Jesus. When you have to explain Jesus’ birth to someone who doesn’t know anything about it at all, you really have to think through your answer and how and why you’re responding the way you are. “They came in with an innocent mind, not knowing much about the topic and they showed the kids who did the pageant out of habit (not for the love of Christmas) the true meaning of Christmas,” says Nelligan.
The Truth About Christmas
We tend to gloss over the story of Jesus’ birth. We make it this bright, clean, pristine depiction that’s rehearsed year after year, but in reality, the actual birth of Jesus was nothing like this ideology. It’s when you start asking these tough questions that you realize the truth about Jesus’ birth. The character of Imogene Herdman, who is cast as Mary in the Christmas Pageant, doesn’t see Mary as a shiny young woman of perfection, she sees a poor girl who overcame incredible odds to become something much greater than she could ever imagine. Imogene starts to wonder if the same could happen to her. She sees the Christmas Pageant as an opportunity to become something new.
Through the process of planning and preparing the pageant, the Herdmans discover that they not only have the potential to be nice, they actually have a kind and generous heart within. If you give someone the chance, you’ll be amazed by what they can bring to the table. When they’re given the opportunity to express what is within, they truly blossom and flourish.
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How the Best Christmas Pageant Ever Changes Hearts
The unique perspective of the Herdman family actually changes the perspective of the entire town. “The whole town changes, because they’re perspective of the Herdmans is that they are bullies, they are mean, they are rude. But when they actually find out more about the Herdmans, they realize that they are only kids, they’re poor and their mom is constantly working and they never see her. They are just trying to get by. They aren’t really mean, they’re just doing what they can,” explains Molly Belle Wright who plays Beth.
God is able to penetrate the toughest shell. When everyone sees a disheveled bunch of out-of-control kids, God sees children that He cherishes. “In the world today, which is so accustomed to drawing a line between us and them and villainizing the outsider, this is a story about the power of the outsider, about the power of love and community,” says Screenwriter, Platte E Clark. “We have something powerful to learn from everybody.”
We look at the surface, the outside. But God sees the heart. This film challenges you to really see people, the way God sees them. “The story of these outsiders, these kids who are in poverty are actually closer to the heart of the true Christmas story than everyone else,” says Director Dallas Jenkins. Everyone discarded these kids, but it’s the unexpected that God uses to impact the hearts of those He loves. “Here are these kids, this group of misfits that everyone discards. Yet, they’re the ones that end up teaching everybody the true meaning of Christmas. How beautiful is that parallel. Sometimes you can see the true meaning of what Christ did for us on the cross through the unexpected of ways,” states Kevin Downes, Producer. “It tells the gospel story. It tells why Jesus was born and what happened. How people were impacted by Jesus’ birth, yet is being told from the viewpoint of little kids, which is so innocent and so beautiful.”
Childlike Christmas
Christmas truly is about the heart of a child. So much about this season revolves around creating sweet childhood memories. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever may instill some of those childhood memories. Judy Greer, who plays Grace in the film, describes this film by saying “It’s about creating stories that people will watch forever.”
Many Christians assume that everybody knows about Christmas, but this film is a reminder that a lot of people don’t know about the birth of Jesus. “Not many Christmas movies even take a stab at nailing the spirit of Christmas. I think this one does that really, really well,” Pete Holmes who plays Bob in the film explains.
The night that Jesus was born, an angel appeared to the shepherds who were watching over their sheep in the field. The angel proclaimed, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” This film is for all people – even the Herdmans (the most obnoxious, mean, out of control people in this world). Director Dallas Jenkins says, “This film will resonate with people who believe in Jesus, but it will also relate to those who don’t. There is some element of this film that can resonate with everyone.” Jesus didn’t come only for the righteous, He came for everyone. This film is a great opportunity for people to see God’s love, compassion and desire for all people. Producer Kevin Downes beautifully states, “He came to save us ALL from our sins. He loves us ALL and wants to be with all of us in eternal life.”
