The Gift

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
— 2 Corinthians 9:15

One of my favorite stories of all time is the short story by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), “The Gift of the Magi”. Set in the late 1800s, it tells of Della Young who discovers she has only $1.87 to buy her husband a Christmas present. He is the love of her life and his most prized possession is his pocket watch (a family heirloom). Her beautiful hair is said to outshine a queen’s jewels. She cuts it off and sells it to buy James a decorative chain to adorn his pocket watch. When it comes time to exchange gifts, James presents Della with a set of decorative combs for her hair he purchased from the sale of his watch. Thus, both gave up what they valued most to buy a gift for the other. Now both hold in hand a useless gift, but discover the greatest gift of all is a willingness to sacrifice for those you love.

What fascinates me most about this story is the author who artfully captured the greatest desire of humanity: being loved to the point of sacrifice. Especially since the author seemed to live a more selfish life. I can’t speak to his spiritual state, but his primary sacrifice was returning as a fugitive from Honduras to surrender to the U.S. authorities when he learned his wife was dying from tuberculosis. He cared for her till her death in 1897. Then, he began his 5 year prison sentence for embezzlement. He was a heavy drinker and died in 1910 of cirrhosis of the liver and other complications.

O. Henry was a master of capturing human emotion and empathy in word. He could guide thoughts to elation in his stories. So much so, that for more than 30 years after his death, people would regularly visit his grave and leave $1.87 (Della’s starting sum). However, his personal life was contrary to his scribbles, and scruples. It is a dire warning for those of us who dare to create.

Yet, it does little to undermine the truth of his work; the greatest gift is love unto sacrifice.

2 Corinthians 9:15 states, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” And what a gift it is. A gift of value I will never fully comprehend until the day I see Him face to face. He humbled Himself and came as a baby in swaddling clothes. Nursed by His mother. Fragile. Vulnerable.

He walked a lonely life of poverty, rejection, scorn and hatred. He was rejected in His own community. He was betrayed by His own followers. Questioned at every turn. Arrested as a common criminal.

He was beaten. Scourged. A crown of thorns was placed on His brow. He was humiliated. Dragged through the streets. Nailed to the cross as a common criminal. Even then the humiliation did not end. Until at last, He breathed His last.

Placed in a grave, He descended into the depths to conquer them. Rose on the third day and now sits on a heavenly throne.

He did it for you!

God gave His greatest gift for you. He did it to remove your sin, blemishes and debasement. He did it to free you from shame, guilt, regret and heartache. He did it to give you a new life. Make you a new creation. He did it so you could come alive to person He created you to be!

The gift has been presented. How will you respond?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

It is not enough to know about the gift. It is not enough to be able to write about it in a way that moves others. It is not enough. It is only when we come to the point we are willing to sacrifice all in exchange that the gift has value. It is when we come to the point we are willing to give everything we are to Christ. We are willing to put everything we have into His hands. We are willing to let go of our pride, position, and person.

When we come to the point we are willing to say, “Everything I am, I give to You!” In that moment, He responds by giving us everything He is. He gives us life, forgiveness, righteousness, holiness, love, acceptance and makes us complete in Him.

Friend, I pray you have experienced this gift exchange. I pray you experience the reality of it today. I hope you understand, as great as the sacrifice seems to be, it is nothing in comparison to the gift you receive in exchange. For the gift the world, your family, spouse and friends need today is the person you were created to be in Christ.

“But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere the are the wisest. They are the magi.” —O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi”

© 2025 Warren Martin. All rights Reserved.

NOTE: If you would like to talk to someone about receiving this gift, please connect with me.

[I highly recommend reading the short story. You can find an online version here.]