We can all use heartwarming Christmas movies during this difficult time. The origins of Christmas are an interesting topic for believers worldwide. Many believe December 25th is the birthday of Jesus Christ even though there’s no biblical evidence to support that Jesus was born on that day.

When you ask uncomfortable questions, you wonder how much Christmas is truly about Christ or did we get duped into celebrating some Babylonian goddess holiday a few thousand years ago? All of that aside, most people celebrate and honor Jesus on Christmas Day which begs the question: Are you doing enough to help those who are truly in me this holiday season? 

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ is a story about loving your neighbor as yourself even if your neighbors may be demon-possessed. The film begins with the story of a young girl named Beth Bradley who lives in a small town terrorized by a group of children known as “The Herdmans”. The Herdmans are six children who are often referred to as the worst kids in the world. They lie, cheat, steal, and bully to get anything that they want. 

Tragedy strikes the town when the organizer of the annual Christmas Pageant suffers an injury that takes her away from her duties putting the town in desperate need of a new director.  Beth’s mother Grace Bradley (Judy Greer) takes the job as the new pageant director however many people are asking her to make changes to an otherwise boring pageant play.

Be careful what you ask for because that change comes with the Herdmans demanding that they be featured in the play including the lead Herman Imogene (Beatrice Schneider) demanding the play Mary.  With no one willing to be in the play featuring the terrible group, Beth and her mother Grace have to put together the biggest pageant of the year but do it with the most unreliable group of kids to ever exist.

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ feels like a throwback to a 1990s family movie that modern audiences are not accustomed to anymore. The film features a group of misguided children who are looked down upon as outcasts but the more you get to know them the more you understand that their problem isn’t their behavior, it’s the neglect that has led to that behavior.

One thing should be clarified: this is not a Christian movie. If you’re expecting more faith-based elements, you will be disappointed because it’s not there. The movie is more of a strictly family entertainment variety that teaches the ideals of helping those in need. Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the show The Chosen is the man in charge of directing this movie. The theme of the movie is “Hope.

The Herdmans are a group of children who lack a sense of community and as a result, have terrorized the community due to any lack of guidance. You will be sympathizing with these kids showing that despite their bad behavior they’re not bad people especially when they get inspired by the stories of the Bible.

The children show a genuine interest in learning about the stories of the birth of Christ which is used as a gateway to introduce them to the earlier concepts of the Christian religion. Dallas lambastes the perceived Christian snobbiness of some believers who wish not to help others who don’t fit their mold of what a Christian should be.

While self-righteousness exists in the church, the idea that those in the church will be too afraid to handle a couple of difficult children is the point of view that’s likely more held by an unbeliever. The standout of this film is young actress Beatrice Schneider in the role of Imogen who portrays a young girl who struggles to see herself having the ability to play someone as humble and sweet as Mary but learns to grow for the sake of her troubled family. 

The film has the pacing and storytelling of a Hallmark film but that’s not a bad thing as audiences who are looking for a feel-good story to enjoy with family, especially younger children will find a lot of joy with this movie and that alone will satisfy a lot of needs this holiday season.

Not without its flaws ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ is one of the most uplifting films of the year and a genuine crowd-pleaser.

3.5/5

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