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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