world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.

Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gough, 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 for 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.