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The movie Best Christmas Pageant Ever hit the theatres earlier in November here in Canada. I’ve enjoyed that movie since it first came out in 1983. My VHS version is showing its age as the visual is getting rather crackly and the audio is a bit mumbled at times. It’s still one of my favorite Christmas movies and I make time to watch it every year.
I found this brief on-line synopsis of the book turned-to-movie:
The Herdmans are six siblings who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant during the holidays, they just might teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.
When the Herdmans take over the Christmas pageant, it’s clear they have never been to church, or heard the story of the baby Jesus. They want King Herod to have a part in the pageant because they want to punish him for what he wants to do to the baby. They have no idea about the Bible. They are people who want to know more, and ask questions that some of us think, but don’t actually verbalize. They come at the Nativity Story with real-life experience and emotion.
The church people responsible for the Christmas activities are not happy about the Herdmans’ involvement and don’t hesitate to voice their opinions, willing to share with anyone who will listen to their complaint.
I sometimes wonder if everyone around me knows the Christmas story. I am quick to share “Merry Christmas” greetings and expect a similar response. If asked, I might be able to provide a 15-second summary of the Christmas story and why I celebrate. If the event is so important to me that I think about and prepare for it weeks in advance, shouldn’t I be able to provide an explanation that helps others understand or at least want to have more information?
The story of Jesus' birth is far from ordinary. In a humble stable, a king arrived unnoticed by the bustling crowds of Bethlehem. Shepherds, simple working-class men, received the news of his birth from angels. Filled with excitement, they eagerly shared what they had seen and heard with anyone who would listen. They had the best story to share when they returned to the field.
Christmas comes once a year, every year, same dates on the calendar. The story can be shared any time and all the time. To reserve this story of Jesus, the amazing gift that was given to the world and only share it once a year is keeping a piece of wonderful news from our neighbours who long to hear good news.
Share the gift of good news, the gift of the story of Jesus with the Herdmans in your life. You may be the one that is changed.
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