Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Gift of the Magi

One of my favorite Christmas stories is The Gift of the Magi. You are familiar with this O'Henry short story.

Two young, newly weds are very poor. At Christmas they want to give the other a special gift.



The woman decides to cut her long beautiful hair to get enough money to buy her husband a beautiful watch chain.



The husband sells his precious gold watch so he can buy his wife a silver comb set.



In this day and age of commercialism, I hope we can all remember that Christmas is a special time of year. It is a time when we reflect on the importance of helping our fellow citizen, thinking of family and putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves.



It makes no difference what religious beliefs a person has. What is important is that we take a moment to see how we can be a better person and how our short time on earth can be beneficial to others.

Thanks for stopping by.

9 comments:

Scoobyloves2004 said...

I couldn't have said it better myself.....Merry Christmas!!! (Too Bailey too!)

Country Girl said...

It remains a wonderful story. And wise words. Merry Christmas, Russell. And to Bailey, as well.

Hilary said...

A lovely and true sentiment. Merry Christmas, my friend.

Tess Kincaid said...

This is also one of my faves, Russell. I have a beautiful Lizbeth Zwerger illustrated copy that I used to read my kids when they were small. Then, when my daughter was old enough, she took over and now reads it to me. It's a tradition here at the manor.

Jo said...

I have always loved that story, and when I first read it, it occurred to me that it wasn't necessarily just a Christmas story. I think about that story quite often, and how it can apply to so much in life.

The best gifts are the ones we give.

Dr.John said...

Great post with an important idea well said.
The Lionel train at Menards usually sells on the internet for $179.00. So if it is now under a hundred it is a bargain.

Small City Scenes said...

A truly wonderful story. Christmas is a time of giving and something we should strive to do all year.

Merry Christmas to you and yours which includes Bailey and the pony too. MB

Doris said...

I love that story, and the older and hopefully wiser I get the more I want to give and help those with very little.I have plenty and am comfortable but so many are not.I just think we should look around us and take this spirit of giving into a year round act and not merely at Christmas.When I see someone in need I think to myself "what would Jesus do ? "

Anonymous said...

I also love this story. Merry Christmas, Russell!