Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl is an impoverished young boy who can only walk with a crutch and tells tall tales. His mother calls him into their small house and doesn’t believe his story that there is a star “as big as a window” over their roof.

Later that night Amahl answers a knock at the door and sees three well-dressed kings asking to take a rest at their house before they continue on their journey to meet the Christ Child. Amahl’s mother again doesn’t believe Amahl until she sees for herself. She agrees and leaves to fetch firewood. Amahl takes the opportunity to interrogate the Magi.

While the kings sleep, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal gold from the kings’ gifts. The kings’ page thwarts the attempt and Amahl tries to defend his mother. King Melchior tells her that she may keep the gold as he understands her motives. (During their conversation with Amahl it was revealed that they had to sell their sheep and will soon have to become beggars.) King Melchior points out that the Holy Child will not need the gold in order to build his kingdom.

Amahl’s mother now wishes she had a gift for such a king but neither she nor Amahl has anything to offer. Amahl offers his crutch and his leg is miraculously healed. He leaves with the kings to see the Child and offer his crutch in gratitude.