Behind the Scenes of 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'

• 🎬 Dallas Jenkins, creator of "The Chosen," discusses his new movie, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a story adapted from a 50-year-old book about the notoriously disruptive Herdman children.
• 💡 The film, told from a child's perspective but narrated by an adult, highlights how the Herdman kids, initially seeking snacks, end up taking over the church's Christmas pageant and, in doing so, re-teach the story of Jesus to the complacent townspeople.
• 🌟 Jenkins shares that the movie is a "calling fulfilled," a project he felt compelled to make for 20 years, seeing it as a way to tell Jesus's story from a unique, authentic perspective.

The Journey to Making the Film

• 📖 The inspiration for the movie came from Jenkins's wife, Amanda, reading the book to their children, leading to an emotional realization of the story's profound message about the Gospel and the marginalized.
• ⏳ The path to making the film was long and challenging, involving a 20-year prayer journey and overcoming studio system frustrations, with divine intervention playing a key role in securing the rights.
• 🎥 Jenkins emphasizes that the film is not just for churchgoers but for anyone wishing to escape their current reality, offering a path to transformation through Christ, akin to the characters in the story.

Challenges and Divine Intervention in Filmmaking

• 🌧️ The production faced significant challenges, including strict child labor laws and unexpected weather delays, requiring creative solutions like filming with actors responding to tape on cameras.
• 😈 Jenkins and his wife, Amanda, discuss spiritual warfare and the constant attacks they've faced, particularly during the rapid growth of "The Chosen" and the making of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
• 🌊 The concept of "Red Sea moments" is explored, illustrating how God intervenes in seemingly impossible situations, hardening hearts of opposition and parting ways for His glory, as seen in both biblical narratives and their filmmaking experiences.

The Gospel Message and Audience Reception

• 🤝 The film aims to present Jesus's story authentically, avoiding a preachy tone and instead focusing on sincerity, humility, and the "come as you are" message of the Gospel, which resonates even with non-believing actors.
• 🎭 Many actors involved, both in "The Chosen" and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," are not traditional believers but are moved by the powerful, transcendent hope embedded in the stories.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is highlighted as a rare true family film that can be enjoyed by all ages, offering a unique Christmas experience with potential for deep conversation afterward.

Release and Call to Action

• 🗓️ "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" officially releases on November 8th, with an early access opportunity on November 2nd.
• 🎟️ Early access screenings offer a sneak peek of "The Chosen" season 5, specifically a scene from the Last Supper.
• 🙏 The hosts encourage viewers to support the film, especially during its opening weekends, to ensure its continued run in theaters.