“Hey! Unto you a child is born” may be an unusual presentation of the point, but the message is powerful.

Critics loved Barbara Robinson’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” describing it as outrageous, funny and wonderful.

Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) loves the story so much they have made a dramatic reading of it an annual tradition.

Last night Central members gathered in fellowship hall to sip hot chocolate, enjoy traditional Christmas snacks and to hear once again the story of the worst kids in town and how they landed starring roles in the annual Christmas Pageant at church.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” tells the story of Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys, six neglected children surnamed Herdman who engage in misfit behavior for their age such as smoking, drinking and cursing. They go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, they are given roles in the church’s Christmas play, in which they tell the story of Christmas in a nonconventional fashion

Their unique interpretation of a story they've never heard before surprises even the most regular of church-goers.

“The Miracles of Christmas” are explored each Sunday during Advent through inspiring sermons and beautiful Christmas music. All are welcome. 

Central Christian Church is located at 4711 Westside Dr. It is home to a community dog park, a community garden and Connecting Point of Park Cities. Sermons are broadcast on WRR (101.1 F.M) at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. Visit the website: www.cccdt.org