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Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Gift of the Magi
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PEACE ON EARTH
Photo: Charlotte B. Teagle/AJC
My daughter and I will read to each other tonight of the two young people in O.Henry’s classic short story who sold what was most valuable to them (in a monetary way, anyway) so that they could buy each other a Christmas gift. Then we will dream of sugarplums and elves.
Here, the last passage from the story:
“The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.”
May all of us be magi this season, and remember how wise it is to be kind.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
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