“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7
For Jeremy, some of the happiest hours of his life were spent
in the dusty, stale, or
dismal purlieus of second-hand bookshops. These places had a kind of charmed,
elegant chaos, with a labyrinth of treasures and wisdom.
Books were often arranged precariously on shelves by
author's last name or even stacked in piles on the floor and stairs where there
was neither rhyme nor reason to the layout. For Jeremy, though, it offered a kind
of solitude that emerged when the pain of loneliness gave way to a calm
confidence and a realization that when you can love the best of yourself, you
can deeply love another.
It was an antique copy of O.
Henry’s classic, "The Gift of the Magi," first published as a
short story in 1906.
On the first page, Jeremy saw his own name in well-known
handwriting. It had been a gift from his late grandfather and stolen (or maybe borrowed
but never returned). Next to his name, Gramps wrote, “I pray that you
rediscover this book someday when you’re older, and it encourages you to reflect
on the most important things in life.”
The moment Jeremy began rereading the musty little book, he
entered an alternate reality. As the words flowed out, his imagination added
vivid colors and the characters came to life. O. Henry’s clever use of irony provides
two surprises at the climax of the story.
"The Gift of the Magi" tells a moving tale of a
young married couple, Jim and Della, who struggle financially but want to give
each other meaningful Christmas presents. Della sells her voluptuous
knee-length hair and uses the money to buy a platinum chain to go with Jim's prized
pocket watch.
When Jim came home from work that evening, Della admitted
to him that she’d sold her curls to purchase the chain for him.
In turn, Jim offered Della her present, a set of expensive ornamental
combs. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to use them until her hair grew back
out.
The more enthralled Jeremy became in O. Henry’s story, the
more personal it became. With his own nuptials just weeks away, it offered thought-provoking
advice with perfect timing, that marriage is a deep and loving friendship, so
strong that each would sacrifice for the other.
The story also teaches the true meaning of gift-giving. It
shows how love and thoughtfulness are more valuable than material possessions
and that the most precious gifts are those from the heart.
Jesus, You know that we aren’t perfect. As
You have forgiven us, help us to forgive one another. May that attitude of
peacemaking, words of forgiveness, and kind grace, be echoed and felt in our
home and our life as spouses. Amen
