Tuesday, December 16, 2014
The Gift of the Magi
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories.~ It is too long to quote directly here but this is the whole idea:~~~~~~Della sold her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch.~Jim sold his watch to buy her combs for her hair.~~~~~~The Magi, as you know, were wise men-wonderfully wise men-who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.~They invented the art of giving Christmas presents.~Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication.~And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house.~But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.~O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest.~Everywhere they are wisest.~They are the magi.~~~~~~O. Henry
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12 comments:
I've always found it a very touching tale.
Cube - When my husband was stationed in Germany - one Christmas Eve we watched a Bert and Ernie(Sesame Street) program on tv in which Bert and Ernie acted out The Gift of the Magi.
Something like paper clips and I forget what else they sacrificed to get the other on a gift. It was very touching.
It's a sweet story no matter who stars in it.
I used to spend a considerable amount of time during the year in preparation of the gift-giving season in order to find the perfect, or at least the right, gift.
Years ago, my siblings and siblings-in-law decided to keep gifts to the kids and, as the kids grew, we began to give debit cards as presents.
Nowadays I order gifts for clients online... usually it's either cookies or chocolate.
Sad state of affairs from then to now, huh?
Cube - Our family has come to that - gift cards are the usual now. We also sometimes just give cash (checks). I like that because I know they are getting what they want. But it's a long way from when I used to buy toys for the kids.
I have no problems with receiving gift cards or checks. With the complexity of life today, it's the only way to give someone the right gift.
Monster High? Frozen? I'm getting verklempt just writing about it.
I do have one niece, however, who consistently LOVES what I give her... her tastes are totally in tune with mine. If I love it, so will she.
Cube - It's nice to know someone who you can gifts for that you know they will like. Any more - that is hard to do.
My daughter is going to buy gifts for my nephews and give them to me to wrap. Just so they like it -that's what counts.
We are supposed to get snow on Christmas Eve. Can't ask for more than that!
You wrapping the gifts your daughter picks out is a great idea, but did you mean grandchildren instead of nephews?
If you like snow then good for you. I think a white Christmas is beautiful in theory, but not in practice ;)
This morning, our local meteorologist said today would be a good day to drag out the shorts again. Don't know what the forecast is for Christmas, but I'm betting it will me warmer than yours.
Cube - I don't know where I got the thought of nephews - of course I meant grandchildren.
I could do without snow - but my daughter's family will like the snow.
I can't imagine that you will be wearing shorts on Christmas Eve.
Of course it will be warmer for you even if you don't wear shorts.
I can't believe they will be here tomorrow - the house will be rockin'.
Just in case I don't get on the computer - Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I figured you meant grandchildren and not nephews.
Snow would be crazy here in Florida. It would cause intense havoc with traffic and our infrastructure. We're just not prepared for snowfall.
We're more likely to prepare to wear shorts.
wearing shorts on Christmas Eve.
Cube - It sounds like Huntsville where my daughter lives. If there is a prediction of even an inch of snow they dismiss school.
They just aren't able to handle it.
Sue, in case we don't touch base, I want to wish you and yours a Happy New Year.
Cube - Same to you and your family. Have a healthy and Happy New Year.
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