My family and I watched the new movie, The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson a few nights ago. It is bound to become a yearly holiday movie for many families. I can’t think of one critical point to make. It was just beautiful. I encourage you to see it. It is a timeless story that beautifully illustrates themes of grace, redemption, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
If you’ve ever seen the movie or read the book, you know that the Herdman kids are infamous in their town. Known for their unruly behavior and mischievous antics, they’re the last children anyone would expect to see participating in a church Christmas pageant. Yet, in a twist of fate (or perhaps divine intervention), they end up taking over the lead roles in the annual nativity play. What follows is a chaotic yet deeply moving journey that reveals the heart of the Christmas story in an entirely new way.
The Herdmans are messy—messy in their lives, messy in their behavior, and messy in their relationships. But isn’t that the beauty of the Christmas story? Jesus came into our messy, broken world to bring redemption and hope.
In the movie, the Herdman kids bring a raw and unpolished perspective to the nativity story. They don’t know the “churchy” way of doing things. They don’t know the sanitized, picture-perfect version of Christmas we often cling to. But their questions, their emotions, and their unfiltered reactions remind us that Jesus came for everyone, especially for those who feel unworthy, overlooked, or out of place.
As the Herdmans hear the Christmas story for the first time, they are struck by its wonder and significance. They ask questions that many of us take for granted: “Why didn’t someone call the police on Herod?” “Why would God send His Son to be born in a barn?” Their reactions, though humorous, reflect an awe and curiosity that we often lose in our familiarity with the story.
By the end of the story, the Herdmans aren’t magically transformed into perfect kids, but something significant changes. They begin to grasp the weight of what they’re reenacting. Imogene, playing Mary, sheds tears as she holds the baby Jesus. The other Herdmans—though still rough around the edges—approach their roles with a newfound seriousness.
This transformation mirrors the way the Gospel changes us. God doesn’t demand that we clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He meets us in our mess, just as He met the Herdmans. And as we encounter His grace, our hearts begin to change.
The Herdmans remind us that the Christmas story isn’t just about tradition or perfection. It’s about God’s love breaking into our world and turning everything upside down.
The story also challenges us as Christians. How often do we, like the townspeople in the movie, judge others based on their outward appearance or behavior? How often do we dismiss people as “too far gone” for God to reach?
The Christmas pageant becomes a success not because it’s polished but because it’s real. The Herdmans’ participation forces the church community to confront their own biases and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom is for everyone, and His love is big enough to encompass even the most unlikely people.
As we celebrate this Christmas season, let The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever inspire us to reflect on the heart of the nativity story. Who are the “Herdmans” in our lives—those we might overlook or avoid? How can we extend grace, love, and hospitality to them, just as Christ has done for us?
I’m trying to allow this story to remind me that the miracle of Christmas isn’t in perfectly planned pageants or beautifully wrapped gifts. It’s in the messy, unexpected grace of God becoming flesh to dwell among us. And that, truly, is the greatest pageant of all.
Merry Christmas! May your season be filled with joy, love, and the awe of God’s amazing grace.
~Rev. James Williams