If you are looking for fresh, quirky, family fun this holiday season be sure to add “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” to your watch list! 

Director Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) gives the Nativity story a refreshing set of eyes through the misadventures of a small-town Christmas pageant. Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham anchor the movie with humor and star power as they bring to life Barbara Robinson’s book by the same title. 

Best of all: “Christmas Pageant” toes the delicate line of spreading the Christian message of the season without a trace of preachy tone or overt symbolism.

The film is warm and cozy, with just enough of a retro vibe to give you holiday nostalgia with none of the cheesiness. It is clean for the whole family, but sprinkled with humor that the comedic-heavy cast couldn’t possibly resist.

Misfits in the Manger

The film is set in the small town of Emmanuel whose citizens are eagerly preparing for their 75th annual Christmas pageant when things begin to go amiss. When the town’s rowdy gang of misfit siblings stumble into the church demanding leading roles, the members of Emmanuel are faced with a challenge. 

Mary, the central figure of the Nativity story, is played by the ring leader of the infamous Herdman family. Imogene is the eldest daughter who longs for the escape that comes from playing a role in a play. This character’s journey is wrapped up in a beautiful reflection on the Blessed Mother. Imogene craves beauty and nurturing love throughout the film and finds it, in a small way, through the image of Mary in the church’s lobby. The iconic line, “We don’t need a painting. We need a real person,” is sure to strike viewers as ripe for reflection. 

No Corn, Just Popcorn

The film manages to avoid the stereotypical cliches of “what is Christmas all about” while still dancing around that significant central theme. The Holy Family, obviously at the center of the pageant, is brought to the audience’s awareness in a subtle way that allows the viewer to ponder the mystery of the season at his or her own pace. 

Ultimately, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” invites viewers to experience the Christmas story for the first time alongside the ragtag Herdman children. Some may laugh, some may cry, but all are sure to enjoy the homey warmth and nostalgic good cheer in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”.