An Irreverent Christmas Read that gets at the Heart of the Holiday
Ebenezer Scrooge. The Grinch. The Herdmans.
Wait. Who?
Herdmans. Six children from Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever who carve out…er, or burn down a place in history as best Christmas bad guys.
Yet, I had never heard of Robinson’s humorous children’s book. In search of a Christmas read for my family, I came upon this 1971 tale of six kids who bully their way into becoming the stars of their town’s Christmas pageant.
My husband, kids, and I listened to this book on audio while doing a jigsaw puzzle. It took two nights (the audiobook; the puzzle took longer). We laughed at Robinson’s sparkling humor and true-to-life character portrayals. Who doesn’t know someone like Mrs. Armstrong, who micromanages every committee or Alice Wendleken, the obnoxiously perfect “Mary” who keeps a list of the Herdman’s wrongdoings or Beth’s dad, who is over pageant politics and just wants his dinner.
Of course, this book was filled with winces, too—kids who smoke cigars? Who fat-shame other kids to get charm bracelets? Take the Lord’s name in vain?
I wondered: Should I be inflicting the Herdmans on my own children? What kind of parent am I to let them listen to this?
But, I think that’s Barbara Robinson’s point. God didn’t put on flesh and come to earth for kids (and adults) who had it altogether. Because no matter how hard we try, we can’t get it together. Sure, we might not be smoking cigars in a church bathroom stall, but we are nowhere close to the perfection God requires.
That’s the point of Christmas. Jesus was born in a stinky manger, lived a perfect human life, and died a brutal death on a cross. He did that for me and for you. The way to God is open now for those who receive the gift of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Yep, I inflicted the Herdmans on my children, crassness, imperfections, and all. In doing so, we were reminded that Jesus came into the mess, for our mess. And we were reminded to sit in awe of that act of love and give back in worship whatever we have, whether that’s gold, frankincense, and myrhh…or a Christmas ham.
Bottom Line: Funny, riotous, and irreverent…The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a parent’s worst nightmare—a kid’s book with too much questionable content. However, I would read it with my kids again.
The message is beautiful and reminds me of John 3:17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
If you feel condemned today, know that Jesus doesn’t condemn you. He sees the imperfections that separate you from God and died the death you were meant to have. He saved you!
If you’d like to know more, I’d encourage you to check out a church this Christmas or email me. I’d love to help you have assurance that God loves you and take next steps toward Him.
Merry Christmas!