The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Book 4: 30 books for 30 days December
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a beautiful but short Christmas story about a husband and wife who make sacrifices in order to buy Christmas presents for each other.
The story, to some, feels a little silly by the end of the read because of how foolish the characters seem. However, after reading and then giving yourself time to think you might feel motivated to re-examine the symbols and underlying meanings.
Christmas and Money
The first sentence of the book is about money. Why is it that money and presents are almost synonymous at Christmas time? Why do we think, “I need to save for a couple months so I can get a present for so and so” etc?
It’s not bad to save money, but why do we link so tightly money and value? Or presents? What does it all mean? It may be obvious to some, but others less obvious.
The Gift of the Magi is an older Christmas story, but it is timeless in its lessons. Money has always been an issue in our world. Either you have it, or you don’t. You can earn it, and you can burn it.
“What could I do with a dollar and 87 cents?”
There have been many who debate what having it, or not having it, says about our value as people. That’s why this story is so powerful; it breaks the barrier of money and opens up the mind and heart to the essence of what valuing something- or someone- looks like.
Money holds so much power over us if we allow it. It drives and motivates us. Some have said it is the root of all evil, and yet all of us need it for survival, right? WRONG! It is not what ultimately drives us all to value each other and our relationships, not really. (In my humble opinion)
“It was a platinum fob chain, simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation as all good things should do.”
Okay, realistically speaking, you need money to be a part of society and make contributions and certain types of growth. However, it’s not a winner take all element of human life.
The Magi
Magi is a reference to the three orient wise men who traveled far to visit the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. These men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh which were of great value in their time.
Gold- the currency of Kings. Gold has held great value for hundreds of years, but in biblical times, it was the currency for royalty.
Frankincense- this was used as incense during ceremonies as an offering to God. It was also used in rituals to offer prayers and worship. Frankincense has medicinal value as well.
Myrrh- this can also be used as an incense, but it is normally used as religious anointing oil in biblical times.
Such gifts were given to kings and gods as a form of worship. They represented certain ideas and values. While not terribly important to this story, it is very interesting to note the meaning behind such prominent figures bringing such expensive gifts to a two-year-old they had never met.
Gifts from the Wise
In Christianity, the symbol of sacrifice is a significant and integral part of religious worship. The birth of Jesus Christ for Christians is the beginning of a gift. The gift of redemption from sin and sorrow given by Jesus Christ, a God who loves His children.
In the story, the gifts were useless to Jim and Della, yet their sacrifice was a clear message of their love for one another, and their determination to each other.
“Of all who give gifts, these two are the wisest.”
It didn’t matter that the gifts could not be used. Each gift was a representation of human emotion and loyalty, of a partnership between husband and wife dedicated to the life they had chosen to live together.
Della’s sacrifice had great value for her. What is the value of a woman’s head of hair? Today, it may not be much, but in the early 1900s, hair represented a woman’s beauty. In the story, Della agonizes over her cropped hair, going so far as to beg to the heavens, “Please God, make him think that I am still pretty”.
Husband and Wife
Unlike many Christmas stories about parents, children, and grandparents, this story focuses on a husband and wife. Both contribute to the home and work hard to make the Christmas season special.
For those couples out there, who do not have children and want a meaningful story about sacrifice and love in relationships, this story is a good choice. Even though the story itself is simple and short, it has enough thoughtful layers in it to cause many a person to sit and ponder.
Sacrifice for Those You Love
These days relationships seem as though they are less valued. Regardless of the relationship, people need people. When you love someone, you make sacrifices. That’s a funny word, sacrifice, do we actually know what it means?
I found this definition which I think is a pretty good one.
"…the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.”
Sacrifice is necessary when you love someone, no matter what, looking outside yourself to think of others requires a special kind of surrendering of oneself. It feels like nowadays we don’t get to witness that as much anymore.
It’s not the big things, but the little things. It’s the day-to-day sacrifices which matter. We need more constant tiny sacrifices in our loving relationships, rather than fitful manifestations of love which offer no promise of future commitment.
When is there a better time to make loving and serious commitments and sacrifices for each other than at Christmas time?
