HOW THE LEGENDS BEGAN

The Legends about Ruby Heart grew out of a simple children’s Christmas story that my Dad told us growing up in the Sudan. Later he told it to the children in his churches every year, and they were all as enthralled with the story as we were.

Dad was an animated storyteller!

E. Alan Webb
Pioneer Missionary to the Sudan, Africa
From 1931 to 1963

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THE ORIGINAL STORY

The story was called “The Ruby Heart”

A little boy was given a very special birthday gift by his father, a ruby in the shape of a heart.

Soon after that, the little boy found out his father was going in search of the baby Jesus. He was too young to go on such a journey, but he was determined to go, so he stowed away on his father’s camel train.

He was discovered just before they arrived in Bethlehem and was allowed to join the Wise Men as they presented their gifts to Jesus.

Now the little boy didn’t have anything to give to Jesus, but as he leaned over the baby, the ruby heart fell out of his robe. It was very precious to the little boy because his father had given it to him. But when Jesus reached for the ruby, the little boy gladly gave his heart to Jesus.

And very gently Dad would explain to the children how they, too, could give their hearts to Jesus.