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One thing we can all remember during this season, if we are able to avoid being overcome with its pressures, is that God so loved that He gave. The question of course is, will we give, give our lives to Him in return?

Mary Martin was hurrying toward the stage door for a rehearsal of The Sound of Music . Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II was standing there, looking pale and haggard. He started away, then turned back and slipped a piece of paper into her hand.

"I don't know whether we'll ever use it in the show," he said, "but I want you to have it." Then he hurried away. Inside, Mary met Richard Rogers, who told her that Oscar was to undergo a serious operation the next day. She unfolded the crumpled piece of paper he had given her. On it were these four lines:

A bell is no bell till you ring it,

A song is no song till you sing it,

And love in your heart wasn't put there to stay,

Love isn't love till you give it away.