----THE GIFT OF THE MAGI~~

-"We saw his star
when it rose
and have come to
worship him."~
--(Matthew 2:2)-- bible
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE had more love than money. As Christmas neared, both struggled to find a gift that would show how much they cared for the other. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Della sold her long, knee-length hair to buy Jim a platinum chain for the watch he'd inherited from his father and grandfather. Jim, however, had just sold the watch to buy a set of expensive combs for Della's hear.

Author O. Henry called the couple's story 'The Gift of the Magi.' His creation suggests that even though their gifts became useless and may have caused them to look foolish on Christmas morning, their love made them among the wisest of the those who give gifts.

The Wise Men of the first Christmas story also could have looked foolish to some as they arrive in Bethlehem with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). They weren't Jewish. They were outsiders, Gentiles, who didn't realize how much they would disturb the peace of Jerusalem by asking about a newly born king of the Jews (V.2)

As with Jim and Della's experience, the Magi's plans didn't turn out the way they expected. But they gave what money cannot buy. They came with gifts, but then bowed to worship One who would ultimately make the greatest of all sacrifices for them--and for us.~~

--"Father in heaven, please help us to learn what it means to give what money cannot buy. Thank You, Abba Father, for your free gift of 'LOVE'. [He who does not love does not know G-D, for God is love." roseinbloom (1 John 4:7,8)]~~

--ODB/MD

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]