The Greatest Gift

Silvano Fausti SJ wrote a version of the Christmas story that is popular in Italian elementary schools. Caleb was the poorest of the shepherds near Bethlehem on that holy night. He had just two sheep. When the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them to go to town to find their Saviour in a manger inside a cave, they quickly gathered up some gifts, whatever was to hand. One brought a chicken, another some freshly baked bread and another a basket of fruit. Caleb followed them but being so poor, he had no gift to bring.

When the shepherds reached the cave they proceeded inside, each bearing their gift, kneeling before Jesus. Soon, other people arrived, each bringing some gift to honour the sacred child. Caleb remained some way off, too embarrassed to approach the scene empty-handed.

Mary and Joseph felt overwhelmed by their visitors. They found it difficult to manage the crowd and all those useful presents, especially as Mary was also holding Jesus. Noticing Caleb standing some way off, with his empty hands and sad expression, she asked him to come closer, and then she placed the baby in his arms while she arranged the gifts. Caleb’s hands were no longer empty. They were, in fact, holding the greatest gift of all.

Even if we have little or nothing to offer the Lord this Christmas, that poverty, in itself, may be enough of a gift to welcome the Son of God.

Excerpted from The Sacred Heart Messenger, December 2023