Christmas spirit is arriving early at the Lighthouse Event Center.

The Lighthouse, at 638 Marshall St., will present Barbara Robinson’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” next weekend. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale — the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating — has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

Gordy Handeland is directing the play.

“I’ve always really enjoyed this show,” he said. “I was in this show twice with my daughter. I’ve been the father two times and I have directed the show three different times.”

Handeland said there haven’t been a lot of plays for younger children in the last few years, so he and Lighthouse owners Merle and Celeste Krause decided to do this one.

“This is our first attempt for a children’s show at the Lighthouse,” Handeland said.

He said one of the biggest challenges with the production was in casting.

Usually, with children’s shows, many children and very few adults audition. “This time, I had my adults cast first and I had to look for some more children,” he said.

The cast of 20 is a collection of veteran actors and some with little or no experience. The children range in age from 7 to 13 years old.

The show features Riley Jimenez as Beth Bradley, Jaxon Heilman as Charlie Bradley, Emily Miller as Mrs. Bradley and Gordy Handeland as Mr. Bradley.

Cast as the Herdmans are Salena Boswell as Imogene, Benjamin Seavey as Ralph, Ian Wildeman as Leroy, Jaydon Weigel as Claude, Jenna Seavey as Ollie and Charley Fleek as Gladys.

Also featured are Juliann Wiersma as Alice Wendelken, Natalie Day as Maxine, Carli Walbert as Mrs. Armstrong, Nancy Lahs as Mrs. McCarthy, Lisa Sturtz as Mrs. Slocum, Donna Herman as Mrs. Clark, Robert Sturtz as the Rev. Hopkins, David Wiersma as Elmer Hopkins, Grace Chalmers as Beverly and a baby angel and Tierney Murtaugh as a baby angel.

In addition, Celeste Krause is in charge of tickets and publicity. Donna Handeland is helping with costumes and is the musical director. She also assisted with set painting. Lisa Sturtz is assisting with directing.

Tickets are available in advance at Tone Music for $12 or $15 at the door. Student tickets are $6.

Handeland said he thinks most people will be able to relate to something in this show — “whether it’s having to be in a pageant, having to go to a pageant or having to help with a pageant. Some pageants run smoothly and, of course, some don’t.

“This should be a great way to get everyone in a holiday mood.”