Gift of the Magi

Transcript

"The Gift of the Magi" is O’Henry’s beautiful story of a poor young couple who had only two things of value: Jim’s pocket watch, from his father; and Della’s long beautiful hair.

On their first Christmas together, each wanted to buy the other the perfect gift. Then Della had an idea. She cut and sold her hair. With the money, she bought Jim a handsome watch fob. Christmas morning, Jim saw her short hair. He was stunned. To buy her two beautiful hair combs, he had sold his watch.

Each had gone beyond mere gift-giving to show sacrificial love.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. The ultimate sacrifice of love for us was the Christmas gift of Jesus’ life. Our greatest gift to him is our lives, so that everything we do reflects that gift in the high calling of our daily work.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is

'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(Acts 4:8-12)