"Your Presents Are Requested" (Again)

Holiday wishes.  Holiday story.  (With minor revisions, ‘cause I can never totally let go.)

Who invented holiday gift giving?

“A guy with a store.”

Too cynical?  Perhaps.  Though perhaps not entirely off the mark.  Historically – if we can regard the Bible as history, and who’s to say it’s less accurate than anything else written back then – the gift-giving tradition originated on “Day One”, if by “Day One”, you mean “Day One” of A.D. rather than “Day One” of B.C.  I actually don’t know when “Day One” of B.C. was.  Billions of years ago?  It was way back, I know that.  Anyway, that’s got nothing to do with this story, just an interesting filigree. 

Hovering over the event from that very first occasion, there loomed the darkening presence of gift-giving anxiety, the gut-wrenching worry that your gift will fall resoundingly flat. 

Allow us now to peek in on that initial foray into heartfelt but emotionally agitating generosity.

Ext.  Holy Land – Night 

(Note:  In the Jewish tradition, which was in force on this first day of Christianity, all holidays begin on the night before.  I don’t know why.  Maybe they were impatient to get their presents.)

THREE WISE MEN “CAMEL” TOWARDS THEIR MIDDLE-EASTERN DESTINATION.

(Note:  Because I have no idea of their actual names, the Wise Men will herein be designated by the gifts they are delivering:  Gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Sorry for all the Notes.)

THE NIGHT IS QUIET, SAVE FOR THE SOUND OF THREE CAMELS, CLOMPING HEAVILY OVER SAND.

F:  (STANDING FOR FRANKINCENSE, SO I DON’T HAVE TO KEEP WRITING FRANKINCENSE EVERY TIME)  I’m a little worried about my present.

G:  (DITTO ON THE INITIAL )  How so?

F:  I’m concerned about its appropriateness.

G:  What are you’re giving them again?

F:  Frankincense.

G:  And remind me again what that is?

F:  An aromatic gum resin.

G:  Uh-huh.  And you believed that was appropriate because…?

F:  Frankincense is known to have soothing properties.  I thought after the turbulence of childbirth, the participants might appreciate a mild, calming intoxicant. 

G:  I suppose.  But have you noticed how peaceful it’s been? –  a starlit firmament, the absence of a breeze, not a peep out of anything?  If I were a Weather Man – or a songwriter – I’d say, “All is calm, all is bright.”

F:  You’re saying they won’t need a mild, calming intoxicant?

G:  It seems somewhat redundant.

F:  You’re right, they’re going to hate it!  I know exactly what’s going to happen.  They’ll be all nice about it and everything.  “Look, Joseph – frankincense!  What a beautiful present!”  And then, angling for reassurance, I’ll say, “Are you sure you like it?  I could take it back.”  And they’ll say, “Oh, no, it’s perfect!  We were just talking about how we were real low on frankincense and my husband said, ‘Maybe I should pick some up’, and I said, ‘Hold off a little.  We might get some as a present’, and here we are!  It’s like a miracle.  I mean, it’s no ‘Virgin Birth’ or anything, but it’s still amazingly timely.”  I despise that excruciating charade.  I wish I had brought something else.  

MYRRH:  You wish.

F:  Oh, yeah, I forgot.  With you around, I am guaranteed no worse than “Second Most Terrible Gift.”

M:  Well that’s not very supportive.

F:  Your gift makes no sense whatsoever.

G:  What was your gift again?

M:  Myrrh.

F:  Terrible!

M:  It’s not that bad.

F:  Oh, really?  First of all, myrrh is also a gum resin.  I mean, three gifts, and two of them are gum resins?  These guys will have to be really good actors.  “You can never have enough gum resin.”   This is a train wreck!

G:  A what?

F:  It’s going to be bad.

M:  It may be okay.  There is actually a substantial difference between my gum resin and your gum resin.  Yours in an aromatic gum resin.  Mine is a bitter gum resin.

F:  (TO G)  You know what bitter gum resins are used for?

G:  What?

F:  Embalming.  He’s bringing them a burial spice.  (TO M)  I hope you kept the receipt. 

M:  I did.  But the store’s in Mesopotamia.

F:  Remember now, you promised.  I give my gift first.  I go after you and it’s like, “Oooh, more gum resin.”  No way.  I want to be the first gum resin they get.

M:  I don’t know, after my bitter gum resin, aromatic gum resin might be a step up.

F:  I’m going first!

M:  Okay!   

G:  I think you “Wise Men” – though your behavior puts that in serious question – are making too much of all this.  Remember:  “It’s the thought that counts.”

F:  Spoken like a man giving them gold.

G:  It is simply what came to mind.

F:  Yeah, right, you big showoff.

G:   You could have brought gold.

M:  “Gold, gold and myrrh.”  They would certainly remember me then.

F:  Why do you have to be better than everyone else?

G:  That is not how I thought about it.

M:  Oh, right.  “Let’s see.  What gift should I bring them?  I know.  Something that makes everyone else’s gift look terrible!”

G:  It’s not a lot of gold.

F:  (To M)  Did you see the pouch it’s in?

M:  The pouch alone is better than my present.

G:  If you’re so unhappy with your present, you should really have brought something else for the Newborn King.

M:  Like what?

G:  I don’t know, booties.

M:  “Gold, frankincense and socks.”  That’s much better.

F:  Why didn’t you bring booties?

G:  Because I brought gold!  Dear Lord!... who was incidentally just born.  Do I have to apologize for being the only one bringing a decent gift? 

F/M: (TOGETHER)  YES!!

F:  You know, in truth, we have no idea who we’re bringing this stuff to.  They could be loaded.  They could open the pouch and it’s like, (BLASÉ)  “Oh, look.  More gold.” 

G:  Unlikely.  Rich people don’t have babies in a manger.  They prefer giving birth without donkeys nearby.

M:  They could be rich “naturalists.”  Yours could be the least appreciated present of all. 

F:  (TO M) He put zero thought into it, you know.  “‘Gold.’  Done!”

M:  I know.  It’s like a “Gift Certificate.”

G:  Will you just stop it!  What am I doing with you people?  I should have gone with a traveling caravan.  Unfortunately, I blew all my money on the present. 

F:  That wasn’t so “wise.”

G:  Shut up!  I hate you!  I hate this spiritual sojourn!  And I despise this lumpy camel! 

M:  Take it easy!  You’re turning all red.

F:  (TO G)  Would you like a little frankincense to calm you down? 

M:  I’d like to slip him some myrrh.

F:  Oh.  For “embalming.”  I get it.

G:  Can we stop talking?  Can we not just “camel” in silence?

F/M:  (TOGETHER)  Fine.

THE THREE SPEEECHLESSLY “CAMEL.”  THEN…

F:  (TO M, CONFIDENTIALLY)  What’s got his miter in a twist?

M:  I think he’s concerned about his present.

G:  (OVERHEARING)  I am not!

“F” AND “M” EXCHANGE CORROBORATIVE GLANCES.

THE TRAVELING TRIO PROCEEDS SILENTLY TOWARDS BETHLEHEM AND INTO NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY.  THOUGH INSECURITY PERSISTS.

G:  Everybody likes gold.  (AFTER A BEAT)  Don’t they?

CURTAIN.

Merry Christmas to all.  Even those who prefer “Happy Holiday.”