The Gifts of the Magi
There is a short story by O. Henry called "The Gift of the Magi." It is about a young married couple who don't have much in terms of worldly possessions, but they have lots of love. The couple, Jim and Della, would claim to have two great possessions. Jim has his father's gold pocket watch, and Della has long, luxurious hair that she adores. Ultimately, they each sacrifice their prized possession to buy the other a Christmas gift. Della sells her hair to buy Jim a watch chain, and Jim sells his watch to buy Della combs for her hair. I can still hear my students gasp when they realized what the other had done. I would always ask the students for the theme or message of the story because O. Henry tended to state his theme at the end of the story:
The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the wise ones. They are the magi.
This weekend is the Epiphany of the Lord, the end of Christmas celebrating that Jesus is the son of God and the visit of the three Wise Men. The word Epiphany means manifestation. The idea being we are to manifest God in our hearts like the three Wise Men did. It was believed that when a new star appeared in the sky, a new king was born. Upon seeing the star, the three men led by faith followed the start to Bethlehem. They brought the new king gifts of gold - symbolic of wealth and power, a gift fit for a king; frankincense - a tree sap used for incense and symbolic of prayer; finally myrrh - a tree sap used in oils for anointing of priests and kings. There are many more detailed explanations for the gifts given. These presents were given from pureness of heart and from love.
How will you allow God to manifest himself within you? Will you follow the star and guiding light? Will you bring your gifts of love and devotion? It is so easy to get caught up in the trappings of this time of year, but how pure and good to renew your devotion to God.
God Bless.
