It was the early 1800s and a young couple newly married had lots of love, but very little money. As they face their first Christmas together, he strokes her beautiful, waist length auburn hair and wonders how he can possibly afford a Christmas gift for her that is worthy of all the happiness she has brought him.
As she watches him dress for work, opening his pocket watch to check the time, she is filled with love and wants desperately to show it by getting him a gift for Christmas that he will treasure.
On Christmas eve, he arrives home and she is still hurrying about preparing a special dinner, a scarf covering her head and an apron protecting her dress.
He pulls her to the couch and hands her the gift he chose for her – a beautiful sterling silver hair ornament that he envisioned holding her lovely hair high on her head. She presents her gift to him – a gold watch fob for the pocket watch that he treasures so.
He sheepishly admits he no longer has the watch. He sold it to buy her hair clip. She slowly removes the scarf from her head, revealing short cropped hair. She cut and sold her flowing locks to buy the watch fob.
The physical gifts were now useless to each of them. But the love with which they were acquired will see them through, whatever lies ahead.
May your Christmas be merry and full of love.
[Show #466]
What a perfect time of year to be reminded of the beautiful short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” originally written by O.Henry. It was first published in “The New York Sunday World” under the title “Gifts of the Magi” on December 10, 1905, and a year later in book form in the O. Henry Anthology “The Four Million” in April 1906. Its poignant theme has touched hearts for over a century.