Everyone agreed that the six Herdman kids were the worst kids in the world. They lied, they stole, they hit little kids, they talked dirty, and even the girls smoked cigars. To the other children Sunday School was a safe haven, because the Herdman's never went there. Then one Sunday, when the Herdman's show up looking for chocolate cake, they hear about the Christmas pageant and decide they want to participate.
To everyone's dismay the Herdman's manage to get the lead roles in the play. Everyone expects a disaster, but to their surprise the Herdman's bring a fresh interpretation to the Christmas story - a story the Herdman's had never heard before until now.