The Littlest Angel

A story written in 1939, and first published in book form in 1946, has become, for many of us, a cherished remembrance of childhood. "The Littlest Angel was the youngest angel in heaven, a very small boy who didn’t quite know how to act angelic and had a difficult time making the adjustment. The other angels in Heaven did not know what to do with him. He was clumsy, loud, messy, always late and sang off key — and his halo was always slipping off, perched over one eye, or rolling down the street. “ … The Littlest Angel soon became the despair of all the Heavenly Host. His shrill, ear-splitting whistle resounded at all hours through the Golden Streets. It startled the Patriarch Prophets and disturbed their meditations. Yes, and on top of that, he inevitably and vociferously sang off-key at the singing practice of the Heavenly Choir, spoiling its ethereal effect.” When it was time for Jesus to be born, all the angels and archangels began to prepare their gifts for the Child. But what would the Littlest Angel give? He thought of composing a hymn of adoration or writing a prayer. But as the day of the miracle drew closer, the small angel decided on his gift, and what he though was a humble gift would come to be known by all men on that special night. “And the Voice of God spoke, saying, “Of all the gifts of all the angels, I find that this small box pleases Me most. … I accept this gift in the Name of the Child, Jesus, born of Mary this night in Bethlehem.” It is, so often, the simple things that are the most important. Pam Griffin