The Gift of the Magi – A Modern Reprise
O Henry’s Classic Retold in Today’s World
The Story
Jim and Della Young made their home in a rundown apartment building near downtown San Antonio. Once a grand mansion for the city's elite, the structure now stood as a shadow of its former glory. Despite its prime location overlooking the famous Riverwalk, the four-unit conversion had become a last resort for those with limited means.
Christmas was approaching. The streets, buildings, and Riverwalk through downtown San Antonio glistened and twinkled with thousands of Christmas lights. The festive cheer, lights, and Christmas carols were in stark contrast to the couple's financial struggles.
As they sat on the small balcony, each Christmas carol echoing faintly along the Riverwalk gave them a sense of peace, with each refrain seeming to strengthen their immense love for each other. Their unbreakable bond of love was the one truly bright light in their struggles.
Aside from their love, they had few valuable possessions. For Jim, it was his grandfather's old but valuable antique wristwatch. The watch was a fabulously well-made timepiece with fine ornate engravings around the edge.
The old metal watchband was just ordinary and could have been replaced. However, the fact was that it was held together by pieces of paperclips ingeniously inserted to hold the links in place. He considered replacing it, as the watch itself was the main thing. He had just never gotten around to finding a band he liked.
Della had no such material pieces. Instead, her prize possession was her hair. Her husband loved it. He was entranced by it and loved to run his finger through her hair. It was long and beautiful. She went to great lengths to keep it looking great.
In fact, it looked so good Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian would be jealous. Everyone who met her or saw her noticed and commented on it. Despite her humble spirit, she realized it was why she earned above-average tips in her job.
Financial Struggles
Yes. Money was tight, and it weighed heavily on both of them. The area around their small apartment, like the apartment, had declined despite its location and access to downtown. Despite the neighborhood and dilapidated apartment building, they could barely pay rent. Groceries were at a premium, requiring them to eat frugally to get by.
Della worked as a freelancer. However, work was inconsistent, and she took a pizza bicycle delivery side gig to make the difference. It was not the safest side gig for a woman in this area, including the nearby downtown streets where she made most of her deliveries.
But Della was desperate. She had been trying for months to save enough to buy something special for Jim. She worked extra hard to earn tips and gave scowls worthy of the worst gangster when someone failed to tip.
Despite their dire circumstances, she managed to scrape together $50. It was not much in today’s economy. Considering a burger and fries averaged over $10-$12 in this part of town, it wouldn’t go far. Nonetheless, it was still a testament to her dedication. Every dollar felt like a drop of water in an endless ocean of bills and expenses.
On the other hand, Jim worked long hours at a local startup, earning just enough to keep them afloat. His treasured wristwatch, a gift from his grandfather, was the only thing of material value he had. Each glance at it reminded him of the times he and his grandfather had shared, the sacrifices they had made, and the dreams they had yet to fulfill.
The Sacrifice
The clock was ticking closer to Christmas, and Della felt a mix of excitement and desperation. Early on Christmas Eve, she made a bold decision. Her friend gave her a ride to a luxury hair salon in the upscale and elite suburb of Alamo Heights.
Her heart was pounding as she entered the building. Selling her long, beautiful hair for $125 felt like giving away a piece of herself. But she was desperate and did it without hesitation. With this money, her friend dropped her off at the downtown La Villita Historic Arts Village. It took over two hours, but she finally found the perfect gift. It was a high-end, handmade leather strap for Jim’s watch. It was a gift she knew he would consider worthy of adding new life to his cherished timepiece.
Meanwhile, Jim was facing his own internal struggle. He loved his wristwatch, not just for its monetary value but for the sentimental memories it held. Yet, as much as he loved it, he loved Della more. He couldn’t bear the thought of not having something special for her. He sold his cherished wristwatch to buy a set of exquisite, custom-made hair accessories for her. They would make her long, beautiful hair even more astonishing. He knew how much it would mean to her.
The Exchange
When Jim arrived home that evening, Della greeted him with nervous excitement. Upon seeing her short hair, Jim’s expression turned to shock. His dismay flashed and settled on his face for a moment.
Della’s face turned to a nervous question and one of disappointment. Apparently, he didn’t like her new look! Nervously, she explained she had given up her precious hair for him. In light of her sacrifice, she clearly had expected Jim to embrace her new look.
Jim’s look quickly softened into recognition and appreciation for her sacrifice. His heart swelled with love as he realized how much she must love him to part with her hair. He pulled her close with a firm, reassuring embrace that lasted longer than normal.
It was Jim’s turn to open his gift. Unable to wait until he had fully unwrapped it, Della exclaimed, “I looked all over Alamo Heights for just the right watch band!”
Jim suddenly leaned back and said, “Why don’t we just put away our gifts and wait until your hair grows back before we open them? It would seem the right thing to do until your hair grows back.”
He leaned back and hid his hands behind him as if to signal they shouldn’t finish opening his gift. Della was having none of that, as she had already told him what his gift was.
She was anxious for him to see what she had sacrificed her hair for. Playfully pulling his arms out she saw his watch was missing. “Where’s your watch?” she exclaimed as she dug into the cushions looking for it. She presumed the old band had finally died and fallen off.
Reluctantly, Jim told Della he sold his watch for her gifts. Explained he could not bear the thought of his Della going without a Christmas gift. He explained that as much as he loved his grandpa and his watch, she was more important.
With equal shock and dismay, she listened. As Jim finished, she broke into a smile and then a hearty laugh as she pulled Jim close and kissed him.
The irony of their situation was both disheartening and enlightening. Della now had beautiful hair accessories but no long hair to use them with, and Jim had a luxurious leather strap but no wristwatch to attach.
The Magi
In their small apartment, Jim and Della sat together, holding each other close. They had struggled physically and emotionally, giving up the things they cared about most because they wanted to demonstrate their love for each other. It was, after all, their love that connected them. The sacrifices they had made were not in vain. They realized they had given each other the greatest gift—love.
The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men - who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, gifts fit for a King. But shortly upon arrival and finding Jesus, there is little doubt they realized their gifts were inadequate. Jesus was more than just a king. They recognized and worshiped Jesus, recognizing His divine nature. They recognized Jesus for what he was: God’s gift of love to all humankind. It was not about their gifts. It was about God’s sacrificial love for us.
The True Meaning
In that small apartment filled with laughter and tears, Jim and Della discovered that the spirit of giving lies not in the material value of our gifts but in the love that connects us. God's gift to us was a sacrificial act of love.
He sacrificially gave His Son, Jesus, so that we could be connected to Him. God’s loving sacrifice crossed the chasm of sin that separated us from God. It was about restoring our connection to God. Yes, it was about “Getting God.”
Like the Magi, Della and Jim realized it was not the gifts but their sacrificial love for each other, much like the sacrificial love of God for us. They had become wise. They had become the Magi.