Barbara Robinson (1) (1927–2013)

Originally published in 1972, this brief children's novel - the first of three stories concerning the horrible Herdman children, it was followed by The Best School Year Ever, and The Best Halloween Ever - is a humorous and heartwarming exploration of the true meaning of Christmas. Detailing the depredations of Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie and Gladys Herdman - six siblings who "were the absolutely worst kids in the history of the world," who lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the show more girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse" - our (unnamed) young narrator relates the chaos and confusion which ensues when the town's juvenile delinquents decide to participate in her church's Christmas pageant, despite never having heard the Christmas story before, and not really belonging to any church. Their unorthodox behavior, and somewhat unconventional approach to the Nativity story stirs up all the expected controversy, but also leads more than one person to reexamine the well-known tale in a new, and more thoughtful light...

I'm not sure why I never picked The Best Christmas Pageant Ever up, when I was a girl - I certainly recall seeing it, at various times, during the holidays - but I am glad I finally gave it a chance. Robinson really nails some of the characters one might meet in a church community - the sanctimonious prigs, like Alice Wendleken and her mother; the overly competent, managing do-it-alls, like Mrs. George Armstrong; the patient minister, aka the "bureau of complaints" - and her sense of humor shines throughout. I particularly appreciated the fact that the Herdmans are revealed, not as little monsters, but as very human children, without their ever being "reformed," or changed in any fundamental sense, in their bad behavior. This really emphasizes, to my way of thinking, the importance of seeing the divine in our fellow human beings, even when we don't particularly like them, or when they just aren't that likable. What better message than this, for Christmas? show less

One problem with getting old is that you get jaded. You start taking things for granted and lose that sense of wonder that seems to come with childhood. Take the Bible, for example. "The Greatest Story Ever Told", right? Well, after years of reading it, the temptation is to blip over all those stories you've heard so many times. So how does one combat such creeping boredom? Well, one way is to share the story, event or what have you with someone who is experiencing it for the first time. show more That's what Ms. Robinson does in this book. It's November and the annual Christmas pageant is coming up. Folks start getting ready to dive into the Christmas routine when the Herdman kids show up. The Herdmans are a pack of hellions--the six wildest, meanest, most exasperating set of young'uns ever to plague an elementary school. Someone told them about the free snacks they get in Sunday School and they show up, just in time to hear about the Christmas Pageant. Well, everyone wants to be a star and the Herdmans are no exception. They cause all sorts of mischief with their uncouth and uncharitable ways, but they also put a new light on the Christmas story for the church members and the reader. Or should I say they put on an old light that I had forgotten about? Check it out.
--J. show less

This is one of the best Christmas books ever! The Herdman children sow chaos wherever they go, and they go everywhere except church. That is, until the narrator’s brother, Charlie, unthinkingly makes church sound like Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory. The Herdmans bully their way into the church’s annual nativity pageant, snagging all the major parts – Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and the angel of the Lord. At first, the Herdmans live up to expectations, but then something special show more happens.

The Herdmans didn’t hear the Christmas story from their parents or in Sunday School. They’re experiencing it for the first time. The pageant had become routine for those who reenacted it the same way every year, and the Herdmans forced them (and the readers) to reflect more deeply on the nativity. This book is both laugh-out-loud funny and inspirational, and it left me feeling the joy of Christmas. show less

First sentence: The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse.

Let me ask you a question. Who is the gospel for? Think about it if you want. I'll wait.

Is the gospel for people who have it all together, the people who are good and are always striving to do show more better, to do more? Or is the gospel for people who don't have it all together, who don't have the answers, who don't even know that they need to be asking questions? Is the gospel for broken, messed-up, difficult-to-get-along-with people? Or is the gospel for people who aren't-all-that-bad-all-things-considered?

On one hand, The Best Christmas Pageant is a comedy through-and-through. It's narrated by a child who's been tormented by the Herdmans for years. And it captures all the reactions of a town to all the bad stuff the Herdmans do (and say). The narrative voice, for most of the book, is just hysterical.

On the other hand, The Best Christmas Pageant is a much-needed reminder of what Christmas is all about, of what the gospel is all about.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever provides an inside-out look at the nativity story, and captures best why Christ came in the first place.

It is told from the "inside" Christian perspective, a Christian perspective with varying degrees of self-righteousness. That is some characters are presented as more self-righteous than others. But many characters are a bit blind. They have never thought of the gospel as being for the Herdmans. They see themselves as better--significantly better--than those Herdmans!

As if God's grace wouldn't dare include the Herdmans. Jesus die for the Herdmans????? You've got to be kidding, right???? Not them, Lord! Why, that's ridiculous. But the truth is, it's ridiculous for God to save any one of us. None of us--not one of us--merits God's salvation: his mercy and grace.

I liked seeing the Christmas story from a new angle.
They knew that Christmas was Jesus' birthday, but everything else was news to them--the shepherds, the Wise Men, the star, the stable, the crowded inn. It was hard to believe. At least, it was hard for me to believe--Alice Wendleken said she didn't have any trouble believing it. "How would they find out about the Christmas story?" she said. "They don't even know what a Bible is." (55)
I couldn't believe it. Among other things, the Herdmans were famous for never sitting still and never paying attention to anyone--teachers, parents (their own or anybody else's), the truant officer, the police--yet here they were, eyes glued on my mother and taking in every word. (59)
When we got home my father wanted to hear all about it. "Well," Mother said, "just suppose you had never heard the Christmas story, and didn't know anything about it, and then somebody told it to you. What would you think?" (68) show less