There is a beautiful, simple story which was told by Heironymous (350–420 A.D.). Also known as Jerome, Hieronymous translated the Bible into Latin, the language of the people at the time. This is his story:

Often, when I look to Bethlehem my heart converses with the child Jesus. I say: “Lord Jesus, you are freezing, you shiver. It is so hard and uncomfortable where you sleep—so that I may be blessed. How will I ever be able to repay?” Then I think I hear the child answering: “I don’t want anything dear Heironymous. Just wait. Difficult times await me, in Gethsemane and the holy cross.”

Then I continue to speak: “Dear Christ child, I have to give you something. I’ll give you all my money.” The child answers: “The heavens and earth are mine. I don’t need your money. Give it to the poor, and then I will receive it as if it was given to me.”

Then I continue: “Dear Christ child, I will gladly do that, but I still have to give something to you. Otherwise, my sorrow will kill me.” Then the child says: “Dear Heironymous, since you are so generous, I will tell you what you can give to me. Give to me your sins. Give me your bad conscience and your perdition.”

I answer: “What will you do with them?” Christ answers me: “I will take them upon my shoulders. They will be my glory and my kingdom. Isaiah prophesied that I would bear your sins and take them away.”

Then I began to cry and say: “Child, dear Christ child, you move my heart to tears. I thought you wanted to have something of mine that was good, and you only wanted to have the evil within me. Take away what is mine! Give me what is yours so I will be free from sin and certain of eternal life.”