The Best Christmas Pageant Ever started as a book written in the 1970s by Barbara Robinson but this year it was turned into a movie directed by Dallas Jenkins. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is about a town that puts on a Christmas pageant every year but this year a family of misbehaved children (the Herdman’s) chooses to participate and everything turns into chaos. I read the book recently and then got a chance to watch the movie in theaters.

Bev Kelley, who read The Best Christmas Pagent Ever, said, “Those people who are different from us at first need to be accepted and treated better. Also, some may not know what we know and they need to be taught what is expected. Kelley really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommends it to everyone regardless of their age. Kelley is hoping to watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie in the near future.

I agree with Kelley’s perspective on the book. This book has many morals that can be taught to everyone. Even though this book was originally written for younger kids I believe it is an exceptional book for all ages. The movie captured every emotion from the book and made a perfect visual of the true Christmas story.

Laura Mourn, who reads The Best Christmas Pageant Ever book every year and watched the movie in theaters this year said “I think that the movie went deeper into the characters of the Herdman’s. It explained their home situation more than the book. So even though it was told from the narrator’s point of view, I feel like we knew Imogene more than Beth at the end.

I loved how the movie showed more emotion and details of the characters than the book. There were slight differences in the movie that were not in the book but I was pleased by the additional content. The book never showed the point of view of the Herdman’s and how they might feel during Christmas time in their situation. When we got to see how the Herdmans’ life was it made me realize how blessed I am. Many other people are in the same situation as the Herdman’s, and the movie helped me empathize with the people going through tough times.

Mourn said, “I appreciated the first rehearsal when the Herdman’s are hearing the Christmas story for the first time.”

Along with Mourn, I also enjoyed the part where the Herdmans get to hear the Christmas story for the first time. The way they describe how that first Christmas night was for Mary and Joseph gives us an understanding that it wasn’t all as perfect as other sources make it seem. I believe that reading the book as a family and then watching the movie is a great way to bond with your family during Christmas time. Even if you aren’t Christian I still think you should watch this movie because it can teach us so many lessons no matter your religion. Overall I think this movie was very well made. I truly loved this movie and am hoping to make it a Christmas tradition to watch it every year.