Amahl’s Only Gift



One dark evening, she prepared their final fire. The food was gone. She had no money. Finally, she braced herself either to beg with her son or starve to death.

But her son, the lonely boy with a home-made crutch, noticed a great star in the sky. Visitors came to their home that evening, three wise men from a faraway land.

Thus begins the story of Amahl, a children's opera written fifty years ago.

It's the story of the first Christmas, told from the perspective of poor shepherds, a desperate widow, and a lame little boy. We see the wise men seeking a new King, a King the opera never introduces.

Instead, at the end of the story, we see a great gift of tribute offered to the new King. The three wise men have given gifts of great value — gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But Amahl offers a greater gift to the King they seek. He offers his crutch. It's the only thing he has to give. Crudely fashioned, it can never compare with the gifts of great wealth from faraway lands.

Nevertheless, it's a great gift, and wonderful things happen because Amahl gives his only possession to the Christ Child.

Amahl's gift to the Christ Child can be a lesson and comfort for us all. In the years when the Christmas table is covered with a feast, the stockings are stuffed to breaking, everyone is healthy, and families are happy together, say thanks to God. Treasure those years.

There may be other years when the feast is simple, the stockings are nearly empty, life is a struggle against illness, and families are broken.

Our greatest gifts to God may come in the dark, barren years when we seem to have so little. Perhaps a child at the Christmas table — a modern Tiny Tim — tells us, “God bless us, everyone.” We give what we have — whatever we have. When we do so, God blesses us beyond measure, in ways we could never anticipate.

They may be material blessings, but are just as likely to be blessings of the heart. A single smile can ease the burden of a sorrow-laden holiday season.

The real table of plenty is the one God serves to our hearts and souls. We may discover it when we give what we have — whatever it is — to honor the newborn King.

If your Christmas stocking has more poignant sorrow than happiness this season, take heart. You are not alone, and the Christ Child is still there for you. He already gave you the most precious gift He had — Himself.

More information on Amahl and the Night Visitors:

Amahl and the Night Visitors was written by Gian Carlo Menotti. It's the first children's opera written especially for television; the one-act production first aired on NBC in 1951. It's been performed around the world at Christmas to audiences ever since then.

Recordings and children's books can introduce the story to your family. Check your local library. Whittlesey House published a nice children's early reader version of Amahl in 1952. Morrow publishers printed a beautiful picture book in 1986.

If you're a trivia buff, the special effects from this television production were later used in the opening sequence of the Dr. Who series, which aired on the BBC from 1963-1966.

Copyright 2005 by Mary Biever. All rights reserved.

Mary Biever is a homeschooling mother of two who publishes encouragement articles and runs Encouragement Workshops For Today's Families.

This article was adapted from one of her columns.

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