| Romans 5:8 – “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” |
We express our love through the simple words “I love you.” But what do we do to make those three single-syllable words truly meaningful?
Is it a feeling that defies description?
We profess our love to others, but how do they truly comprehend it? That’s a challenge we all face.
William Sydney Porter, though perhaps not widely known, was a celebrated writer. He chose to conceal his personal struggles behind a pen name. We recognize him as the master of irony, the pen name O. Henry. Among his works, “The Gift of the Magi” stands out as a profound portrayal of love that surpasses all other words.
In this story, we meet the magi, wise men who brought gifts to Jesus. Their gifts were extravagant and expensive, far beyond the means of a humble barn dweller but fitting for a king.
O. Henry introduces us to a young couple, Della and Jim. They were deeply in love but faced financial hardship. On Christmas Eve, they had only $1.87 to their name.
Della yearned to buy a special gift for her husband. He possessed a pocket watch that had been passed down through generations. It was a cherished heirloom, but it was held together by a frayed leather strap. Della’s heart ached with the desire to replace it with a platinum chain, but she knew they had no money.
Her most prized possession was her long, brunette hair. It was her pride and joy, and Jim adored it. The only way she could raise the money was to sell her hair. With a heavy heart, she visited the merchant who cut it off and received the payment.
As Della waited for Jim to return home, she couldn’t help but feel anxious. Would he still love her after she had given up her hair? She paced their small flat, hoping that the platinum chain might somehow soften the blow of her shorn locks.
Jim arrived home with a small package under his arm. He spotted his wife and was momentarily speechless. Her hair was gone! But then, she presented him with the watch chain and a strange expression crossed his face. Della’s heart sank.
However, Jim then asked her to open his gift. Inside, she found three diamond-lined tortoise shell hair combs, designed to hold her beautiful, flowing hair.
Jim explained that he had sold his watch to purchase these combs, knowing that she had her heart set on them. Tears of joy filled Della’s eyes as she realized the depth of Jim’s love and sacrifice.
Two individuals demonstrated profound selflessness by sacrificing their cherished possessions for the benefit of others.
O Henry concluded the story by highlighting the wisdom of their gifts, akin to those bestowed upon the Magi. These gifts were extravagant yet selfless, embodying the spirit of giving.
Paul, deeply cognizant of the wisdom of Magi gifts, imparted this profound truth to the Romans: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)
In contemplating the essence of love, it becomes evident that it is both simple to articulate and challenging to embody. It entails relinquishing what holds the greatest significance in our lives, driven by an unwavering love for another. This is the true definition of love.
–Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
