One of my favorite Christmas stories is O’Henry’s “Gift of The Magi” where Della and Jim who were newlyweds and struggling financially both tried to make Christmas magical for each other. This story resonates with me in so many ways I guess it would for a lot of people and without spoiling the story I I did not do what Della did and my husband didn’t do what Jim did we both did sacrifice for each other to try to make Christmas special for the other one. After I read this story I wanted to go out and get a set of special hair combs right away 😉 I also have a tradition of re-reading this story every holiday season it never fails to reveal something to me in a new way. In short O’Henry was telling us to give the greatest treasure of our house just as the Eastern Princes did that brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It is found in the gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Verse 1 and 2:
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage”
and then later in Matthew Chapter 2 Verse 11:
“and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. They they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
These weren’t just any old gifts….even now during our modern times gold is going up and becoming more valuable. For those that do not know some facts about frankincense, and myrrh let me share a few brief facts. Frankincense Essential Oil is distilled from the resin called “Liquid pearls from the tree of life.” It heals wounds, it is an immunostimulant, it is thought to relieve tension to find out more click here. Myrrh has anti infections, anti viral, and anti inflammatory properties. Click here to learn more about Myrrh. These were extremely valuable herbs and the magi who were filled with wisdom and knew the importance of this child had just arrived travel far and with valuables to present their gifts.
I remember when my husband and I first got married I would try so hard to surprise him and at 19 years of age I really did not have the means to purchase what he wanted which was usually a gun for hunting and I can say he didn’t know what I wanted either but he sure tried and we really didn’t have 2 pennies to rub together to really get each other what we wanted. What I do remember is our first Christmas together we enjoyed spending time together with each other and with our families that image never leaves me. I remember shopping for gifts for so many people on a very limited budget and just enjoying the holiday season!
So yesterday when I came home from work and my husband was halfway through installing the floors in our bedroom. He was looking tired from moving furniture I realized he had given me his “Gift of The Magi” this season. He took a day off from work to surprise me when I know he would definitely rather be hunting so now I have to find out what my “Gift of The Magi” for him will be this holiday season! Some years are easier than others but I think I know what it will be but of course I don’t want to post it just yet in case he reads this blog I don’t think he will but you never know.
So here is my holiday gift to you the Audio online book of “The Gift Of The Magi” if you have never read it I believe it is a story of hope and love and its very touching.
Merry Christmas from my homestead to yours!
“The Gift of The Magi” Audio E- book
PS: This week I will be posting my Mom’s recipe for her homemade English Muffin loaves, and how I made my holiday ornaments this year and my Holiday Post of what the holidays look like around our homestead! So I hope you come back soon!
It’s time for The Ole’ Saturday Homesteading Trading Post and you know my mantra anything about your homestead is news worthy to me! I want you to link up whatever it is you want to share about most likely we will all be interested!
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This blog is linked up to “Party In Paris on Friday”
Thanks for the eBook.
Your welcome!
So sweet!! I have that book on the kindle on my phone. 🙂
Misty great minds think alike 🙂
Loved this post! The Gifts of the Magi are a special part of the true Christmas story. Each gift proclaims to the world exactly who Mary’s newborn baby really is…
The Gift of Gold represented royalty and proclaimed that Jesus is King. He is King of Kings who rules in heaven and earth.
“Myrrh is the gift for a mortal. It’s a perfume, to make life a little less odorous, to make burial a little less repulsive. Myrrh was the gift for a mortal man, and He was a man. In fact myrrh was especially the gift for one who would die, He was a man and He would die, from the very beginning it was clear He would die. He was born to die, He was mortal, it was clear from the beginning. And so a gift for a King and a gift for a man, He was both.
And there was frankincense. The great old scholar, early church father whose name was Origen said, “this is a gift to God.” Frankincense speaks of deity. Incense was always offered to God, it was a fragrance that rose to God.
And so they come, and by the gold they say He’s a King, and by the myrrh they say He’s a man, and by the incense they say He’s God. Now maybe they didn’t know they said all that, but that’s the beautiful symbolism of it.” – by John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church
Thanks Lisa! Your reply was very informative too 🙂
Thanks for linking up to my “Party in Paris”. It was awesome to come over and find you here. My husband has a heart to self sustain farm – but he keeps saying, He doesn’t see how he can do it financially. I’m curious to know more and will show my husband your blog.
Thanks for the “Gift of the Maggi” story.
Blessings, Renee
Renee’ thank you so much for the compliment I agree their are some tough decisions facing those who want to live/farm a life that is more sustainable. We still have a lot to learn but from where we were a couple of years ago but thanks so much for joining us on the journey. I also really enjoyed linking up to “Party in Paris” I will be back soon!