Neighbor Posted December 4, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 963 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,744 Content Per Day: 5.05 Reputation: 9,127 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted December 4, 2017 (edited) https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf I have read it a few times, more than few. I always remember the first time which was at the command of my seventh grade English teacher. The written report I offered up for grading gained me an F. For I concluded the couple were dolts, that had not even learned to talk to each other, and therefore were doomed to a bad marriage. Seems that was not the interpretation favored by her about the Christmas tale. Scarred me for life. Well not really. Anyway; what of the tale and of O Henry, how is it they ( this couple) are the magi? I had a little trouble back then concentrating on things of the sort. I got hung up on "O Henry", thinking it a candy bar, and an odd looking cartoon boy in the Sunday papers. Conclusionary Excerpt from 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. " Edited December 4, 2017 by Neighbor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvestLabourer Posted December 5, 2017 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 4 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 328 Content Per Day: 0.14 Reputation: 114 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/08/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/27/1957 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Thank you for that, Neighbor. I hadn't heard that story before. Such strange things you have in your state.gov files. I believe the Bible tells why all the gift giving. Is due to the testimonies of Moses and Jesus. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. Revelation 11:10 Christ mass is the Father's sabbath, and must be hallowed. Or Father Christ mass doesn't leave a gift under our tree of life. That's what the Christmas story is saying to me. And everyone is doing it wrong, gifting each other instead of God. And it's become a big commercial thing, and an excuse to over indulge. Even so, praise JESUS Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted December 6, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 963 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,744 Content Per Day: 5.05 Reputation: 9,127 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Hello down under, I have an uncle that likes to read that aloud to us at Christmas. He can't finish the story without crying. Someone has to finish the tale for him. He has a "tender heart". Me, I still see in that tale a chopped haired woman and a man with no watch, both having messed up by not communicating well. That, "Surprise honey!" moment that goes wrong. Kinda like when the wife buys a Hobie Cat as an surprise extravagance for her husband, and the husband buys her a surprise new car, both thinking to use the same reserve cash to pay for it when the credit card bill comes in. Oops! Monthly payments anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheya joie Posted December 6, 2017 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 7 Topic Count: 13 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.29 Reputation: 351 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/15/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted December 6, 2017 I think O Henry's point was that they loved each other so much, they each sacrificed their greatest treasure to get something wonderful for the other. (Personally, I think they should see if they can return the gifts, then use the money to get something for both of them together. Or else save the money.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvestLabourer Posted December 6, 2017 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 4 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 328 Content Per Day: 0.14 Reputation: 114 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/08/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/27/1957 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Thank you, Neighbor, thank you Sheya. They each sacrificed their greatest treasure, but in the end the treasures didn't matter, because they each discovered how much the other loved them, and a happier Christmas couldn't be had. Is what I got. Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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