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Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his
devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting.
Together they traveled around the world, adding only the
finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by
Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls
of their family estate. The widowed elderly man looked on
with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced
art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind
caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art
collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed their nation, and the
young man left to serve his country. After only a few short
weeks, the elderly man received a telegram that his beloved
son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously
awaited more news, fearing he would never see his
son again. Within days his fears were confirmed. The young
man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming
Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the
season-a season that he and his son had so looked forward to
in the past-would visit his house no longer. On Christmas
morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man.
As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the
walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He
opened the door and was greeted by a soldier with a large
package in his hand.
The soldier introduced himself to the old man by saying, "I
was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when
he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something
to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier told of
how the man's son had told every one of his-and his
father's-love of fine art work. "I'm also an artist," said
the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man
began to unwrap the package, paper gave way to reveal a
portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never
consider it a work of genius, the painting featured the
young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier,
promising to hang the portrait above the fireplace. A few
hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set
about his task. True to his word, the painting went above
the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of
paintings. And then the old man sat in his chair and spent
Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man learned
that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a
bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's
gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and
satisfaction began to ease his grief, as he realized that,
although his son was no longer with him, the boy's life
would live on because of those he had touched. The painting
of his son soon became his most prized possession, far
eclipsing any interest in the priceless pieces for which
museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it
was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following
spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation, since, with the old man's
passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be
sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man,
all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day,
the way he had received his greatest gift.
The day finally arrived and art collectors from around the
world gathered to bid on some of the world's most
spectacular paintings. Dreams could be fulfilled this day;
greatness could be achieved as some could say," I have the
greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that
was not on any museum list... It was the painting of the old
man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the
room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Moments
passed as no one spoke.
From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that
painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it
and get on to the good ones."
More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this
one-first," replied the auctioneer. "Now who will take the
son?"
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take $10
for the painting? That's all I have.
"Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more
silence he said, "Going once, going twice... Gone!"
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone shouted,
"Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the
auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Then
someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We
didn't come here for a portrait of some old man's son! What
about all of the other paintings? There are millions of
dollars worth of art work here. We demand an explanation!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the
will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."
Just as the art collectors discovered on that day...The
message is still the same...the love of the Father....a
Father whose son gave his life for others...And because of
that Father's love... Whoever takes the Son gets it all. |
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