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 by Dr. Rita Louise
O Henry in his short story "The Gift of the Magi" tells the tale of two young lovers who go to great lengths to surprise the other with the perfect Christmas present. Because of tough economic times, both Della and James, the young couple of the story, realized that they could not afford to buy the gift the other desired. Thinking quickly on their feet they each looked around for something that could be sold in order to purchase the gift.
According to the story, the two things that were prized by the couple was Della's long hair and James' gold pocket watch. In the end, Della cuts off and sells her hair. With the money she makes she goes out and purchases a watch fob for James' prized watch. As it turns out, James had a very similar idea. In order to pay for the genuine tortoises shell hair combs that Della truly desired, he sold his pocket watch.
Over the centuries the meaning of the festivities that occur in the later part of December have changed. The winter solstice, which occurs on the 21st or 22nd of December (in the Northern hemisphere) has been observed and celebrated by ancient cultures around the world. Gift giving, for example, was common during the Roman festival of Saturnalia was celebrated during the month of December. With the rise of Christianity, December was chosen as the birth date of the baby Jesus.
In our modern culture Christmas is observed by both Christians and non-Christians alike. It has transformed itself once again from a time of celebration and joy to that of merchandising and commercialization. We have moved away from what it was originally about (although that has changed over time) and have gravitated to the modern customs and traditions now associated with it. Instead of spending our time merry making with the ones we love we find ourselves running around totally stressed out trying to purchase gifts. As the big day draws closer buying the perfect gift gets replaced with just getting something, anything for the person in mind. This way we are able to escape from the mayhem at the malls.
Like Della and James who were hit by tough economic times, many of us are being forced to think outside the box, especially when it comes to Christmas and gift giving. We often feel guilty about not being able to afford the best and the finest for our families. Parents of young children and teenagers are especially challenged. With our throw away, keep up with the Jones' society, our ability to purchase our child the I-Phone or game station he or she so desperately wants for Christmas would bring any parent to tears.
These children, instead of experiencing the joy of the holiday only find disappointment. Why? Because we have been taught, and our children have been taught to ask Santa to bring us what we really want for Christmas. Then when the we wake up on Christmas morning we discover that what we wanted, what we prayed for each night, for weeks on end, is nowhere to be found. The letdown, as I'm sure many of you know, can be overwhelming.
As a child I wished and prayed for a 5-speed banana bike with a tall sissy bar. Needless to say, when it wasn't in front of the tree that Christmas I was devastated. I was good that year, wasn't I?
On the flip side, one of the most memorable Christmases I ever had was the year I received my two front teeth as a gift. When I was about 3 years of age an accident caused me to have my two front teeth pulled out by the dentist. For the next several years all I heard throughout the holiday season were people singing that "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" song to me. Let me tell you, that song can give a kid with no front teeth a complex.
Anyway, many, many years later my mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Jokingly I told her I wanted my two front teeth. To my surprise, in and amongst the gifts she sent was a small box and inside were my teeth. To this day even the thought of receiving those teeth brings tears to my eyes.
What did that gift cost her? Nothing. But I will never forget the surprise and joy I experienced in receiving them.
As salaries fall and money gets tighter, perhaps it is time to rethink what Christmas really means to us. When the Who's down in Whosville began singing on Christmas morning the Grinch wondered:
"How could it be so?
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
With the holidays upon us, I would like for us take a moment and think, what does Christmas mean to us? Christmas really isn't just one day a year, it is every day of the year. Each day we are given gifts... all we have to do is look for them. Granted, these gifts aren't wrapped up with shinny paper and topped with a bow. These gifts can come in the form of a smile from a stranger, a supporting hand when we are in need or the heartfelt thank you from our child. These are the things that fill our hearts and warms our souls.
Christmas shouldn't be about what we get, but should be a time of caring and sharing. And if you are lucky enough to have someone in your life that you would be willing to cut off your hair or sell your watch for, even better. Take the time to tell those around you that you love them. It is also during this time of year that we should be reminded to treat each day as a precious gift.
So as we move closer to the big day, don't set yourself up for another disappointing Christmas. Change the rules of the game, shift the focus. Move it away from things you can give or get, towards love. Then and only then, even if you don't have much to give, it will be cherished and remembered.
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