Amahl And The Night Visitors is a children’s opera in one act that was commissioned by NBC in 1951 specifically to be broadcast on television during the Christmas season.  It was first broadcast live on NBC on Christmas Eve 1951 and was broadcast live every year until 1962.

The backstory to the story of Amahl And The Night Visitors as described by the writer, Gian-Carlo Menotti, was that in Italy, children don’t grow up with Santa Claus.  They believe that the gifts they receive on Christmas Eve are delivered by the Three Wise Men.

The story of Amahl And The Night Visitors describes the events on Christmas Eve of a crippled boy and his mother who are visited by three mysterious men at their door.  The Three Kings tell Amahl and his mother of their journey to deliver gifts to the Christ child.  While his mother prepares some food for their unexpected guests, Amahl questions them about many things.  Amahl is tasked with gathering the neighbors to entertain the Three Kings properly.

Later in the night, Amahl’s mother takes some gold coins from King Melchior’s bag but is stopped by the King’s servant.  Upon seeing his mother attacked, Amahl attacks the King’s servant in return.  After explaining why she took the gold, King Melchior says she can keep it.  Amahl’s mother insists that they take the gold back and laments that she has nothing to offer the Christ child.  Amahl says the same, wishing he himself could send something with the Kings.  Upon standing up, Amahl discovers that his damaged leg is miraculously healed.  After pleading with his mother, Amahl is allowed to join the Three Kings and journeys on to see the Christ child with them.

Amahl and the Night Visitors – Wikipedia