You all! I know you have seen the trailers for ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!’ (If not, keep scrolling, I’ve linked the trailer below).
I loved the book by the same name, and even the original 1980’s movie version won my heart… so to say I was ecstatic to see a new ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!’ hit the screens is an understatement.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a story about how the worst kids in town take over the church Christmas pageant, and teach everyone a lesson about what the Gospel of Christmas is really all about.
Join us for family movie night centered around this movie.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
P.s. this movie would make a great accompaniment to our Shepherd’s Lesson in Pray n’ Play: Christmas.
What is ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?’
*Spoilers ahead!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is Chapter Book by Barbara Robinson. It centers around the Herdmans, aka: the worst kids in town. In short, they are bullies! They steal lunch money, dish-out punches, smoke cigars…and now, they are taking over the Christmas program!
Here’s the thing, the Herdman kids have never even heard the Christmas story. Furthermore, everyone in the town is so focused on their poor behavior, they often forget that Jesus came for the Herdmans. In the end, everyone in the town gets a lesson on the true meaning of Christ. God put on flesh and lived among us. And he came to make space for every single person in the Kingdom. Especially the marginalized. Jesus sees them, and loves them.
How to watch?
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
This is the newest version of the story, and I think any kid ages 6 and up would enjoy this version. It’s full of wild shenanigans from the Herdman kids and a beautiful message of God’s love for everyone.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Picture Book
For younger kids who may not be able to sit through the whole movie, there is also a picture book edition of ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. You may choose to add this to your family movie night, or do a family storytime.
Holiday Ham Pizza Trees
One of the most iconic scenes from the book is when the Herdman brothers playing the wisemen gift baby Jesus a holiday ham. So clearly, ham had to be on the menu for family movie night. My kids associate family movie night with pizza, so we snagged some carving board ham and made some ham and pineapple pizza Christmas trees. After all, in the book the Hedmans did think pizza would have made a better gift than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
What you need:
- Pizza crust (homemade or store bought pre-made pizza crust).
- Pizza sauce
- Ham slices
- Crushed pineapple, drained
- Shredded mozzarella
- Wooden or Bamboo skewers
What you do:
- Soak the skewers in water.
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Roll-out half of the pizza crust.
- Spread an thin, even layer of sauce over crust. Top with ham, pineapple, and cheese.
- Roll-out the rest of the pizza crust and place it on top, sandwhiching the pizza toppings between the two layers of crust.
- Slice the pizza into strips, 1-2 inches wide.
- Fold each pizza strip onto itself in a zig-zag, shortening the folds with each layer, so that it makes a tree shape.
- Take a skewer and insert it into the center of your folded pizza.
- Place trees on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until trees are golden brown.
- Cut a slice of cheese with a star shaped cookie cutter, and place the star on the tip of the skewer.
More Food Ideas
- Holiday Ham Charcuterie: This was my original plan, but my kids really don’t love a charcuterie, and really love some movie night pizza. Either a ham sandwhich charcuterie or a Christmas tree ham charcuterie would make fantastic menu options.
- Stolen Dessert: Leroy Herdman steals desserts out of Charlie’s lunch. In the stage version of ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ Leroy steals Twinkies.
- Sunday School Chocolate Cake: The Herdmans show-up at the church food drive looking for chocolate cake.
- TV Dinners: In this new version, all preparation for the Christmas pageant causes Grace, the director’s, family to eat TV dinners.
- Sour Patch Kids: The Herdmans are the worst kids ever. Dare I say ‘sour.’ Sour Patch Kids or this sugar and dye-free alternative would make a great pairing for this movie.
Activities
- Coloring pages from The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Official Website.
- Plan a service project: It is mentioned several times within the story that the Herdmans are underprivileged. They are from a single-parent household and there mom works double shifts to provide for the family, leaving Imogene in charged. The church even provides their family for their Christmas Ham. Discuss this as a family, and find a way that you can show care and concern for those in the margins of our community: Service Project Ideas for Preschoolers.
Baby Devotions 