Do you know the story of Amahl and the Night Visitors? I’d like you to think about the story of the Visitation which we just heard (Luke 1.39-45) and compare it to the story of Amahl, which I will share with you now. What conclusions do you draw about not only who this Child is but what message he brings with him through the events and the characters in the stories?
Amahl and his mother live in a small house. He is only able to walk with the help of a crutch. He is a dreamer and doesn’t always tell the truth. One evening his mother calls him but he doesn’t listen. After a while he finally comes in and tells his mother that he saw a huge star, as big as a window shining right above their roof. Of course his mother doesn’t believe him. Later that night his mother wept and prayed that her son wouldn’t become a beggar.
Then she heard a knock at the door and told Amahl to answer it. He did and when he opened the door he saw three splendidly dressed kings. He calls for his mother to come and see. Of course she doesn’t believe him until she sees them for herself. The kings tell them that they are on a long journey to bring gifts to a wondrous Child and they would like to rest at their home.
The mother invites them in saying that all she can offer is “a cold fireplace and a bed of straw.” When she goes to get firewood Amahl takes the opportunity to speak with the kings. He ask them about their life as kings. King Balthazar answers his questions and asks him what he does. He responds that he used to be a shepherd but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now he and his mother will have to go begging.
King Kasper shows Amahl his box that is his gift to the Christ Child and offers him some licorice candy from it. The mother returns and tells Amahl to go bring the neighbors so they can properly feed and entertain the kings.
After the neighbors have left and the kings are resting, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal some of the gold the kings have brought as a gift for the Child. The kings’ page sees her and shouts, “Thief, Thief!” Amahl wakes up and sees the page grabbing his mother. He attacks the page.
Kings Melchior sees what has happened and knows that Amahl’s mother was trying to save her son from having to beg. The king tells her that she can keep the gold because the Holy Child won’t need earthly power or wealth to build his kingdom. The mother begs the kings to take the gold. She has waited her whole life for a Child such as this. She wishes to send a gift for him but she has nothing to send.
Amahl comes forward. He has nothing to give the Holy Child except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, he is miraculously healed. With his mother’s permission he leaves with the kings to see the Child and give him his crutch in thanks for being healed.
What are your thoughts after hearing both of these stories?
Like the story of the Visitation which we heard a few minutes ago this story teaches that Christ is God and has the power to heal and change lives. In the Visitation story, the people are living examples of hospitality and compassion. Mary shows compassion to her pregnant older cousin who in turn offers hospitality to her and her unborn son. God is present though unseen in the boys and their mothers, who are inspired to praise God for the miracles that are happening. The story of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” demonstrates that same hospitality and compassion.
Salvation has come through the power of God. It has come through simple people doing what they see is the loving, faith-filled thing to do, praising God in thanks for God’s gifts to them. They gave without counting the cost out of compassion born of love.
We can do no less! This is the lesson and gift of Christmas to us all!
After the Creed we will go to the altar to remember and participate in the events that brought about our salvation.
Maria Thornton McClain, RCWP
Amahl and his mother live in a small house. He is only able to walk with the help of a crutch. He is a dreamer and doesn’t always tell the truth. One evening his mother calls him but he doesn’t listen. After a while he finally comes in and tells his mother that he saw a huge star, as big as a window shining right above their roof. Of course his mother doesn’t believe him. Later that night his mother wept and prayed that her son wouldn’t become a beggar.
Then she heard a knock at the door and told Amahl to answer it. He did and when he opened the door he saw three splendidly dressed kings. He calls for his mother to come and see. Of course she doesn’t believe him until she sees them for herself. The kings tell them that they are on a long journey to bring gifts to a wondrous Child and they would like to rest at their home.
The mother invites them in saying that all she can offer is “a cold fireplace and a bed of straw.” When she goes to get firewood Amahl takes the opportunity to speak with the kings. He ask them about their life as kings. King Balthazar answers his questions and asks him what he does. He responds that he used to be a shepherd but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now he and his mother will have to go begging.
King Kasper shows Amahl his box that is his gift to the Christ Child and offers him some licorice candy from it. The mother returns and tells Amahl to go bring the neighbors so they can properly feed and entertain the kings.
After the neighbors have left and the kings are resting, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal some of the gold the kings have brought as a gift for the Child. The kings’ page sees her and shouts, “Thief, Thief!” Amahl wakes up and sees the page grabbing his mother. He attacks the page.
Kings Melchior sees what has happened and knows that Amahl’s mother was trying to save her son from having to beg. The king tells her that she can keep the gold because the Holy Child won’t need earthly power or wealth to build his kingdom. The mother begs the kings to take the gold. She has waited her whole life for a Child such as this. She wishes to send a gift for him but she has nothing to send.
Amahl comes forward. He has nothing to give the Holy Child except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, he is miraculously healed. With his mother’s permission he leaves with the kings to see the Child and give him his crutch in thanks for being healed.
What are your thoughts after hearing both of these stories?
Like the story of the Visitation which we heard a few minutes ago this story teaches that Christ is God and has the power to heal and change lives. In the Visitation story, the people are living examples of hospitality and compassion. Mary shows compassion to her pregnant older cousin who in turn offers hospitality to her and her unborn son. God is present though unseen in the boys and their mothers, who are inspired to praise God for the miracles that are happening. The story of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” demonstrates that same hospitality and compassion.
Salvation has come through the power of God. It has come through simple people doing what they see is the loving, faith-filled thing to do, praising God in thanks for God’s gifts to them. They gave without counting the cost out of compassion born of love.
We can do no less! This is the lesson and gift of Christmas to us all!
After the Creed we will go to the altar to remember and participate in the events that brought about our salvation.
Maria Thornton McClain, RCWP
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