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Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son,THE ART COLLECTOR'S 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 the family estate. The widowed, elder 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 the nation, and the young man left to
serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a
telegram. 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,
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. As he opened the door,
he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He
introduced himself to the 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
everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I'm an
artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a
portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the
work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking
detail.Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the solider, promising to hang
the picture 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 of
paintings. And then the 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 realized that even
though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on
because of those he had touched. He would soon learn 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 the grief. The painting
of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any
interest in the 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! Unmindful of the story of the man's only
son, but in his honor, 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 day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered
to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would
be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim,
"I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that
was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The
auctioneer asked for an opening bid.The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed. 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 go on to the good
stuff." 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 ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy,
so I'd like to have it.""I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer.
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice.
Sold." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed,
"Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was
over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked,
"What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some
old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the
father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."Just as those art collectors discovered on that Christmas Day, the
message is still the same: the love of a Father, a Father whose greatest
joy came from His Son, who went away and gave His life rescuing others.
And because of that Father's love, whoever takes the Son, gets it all!
Christmas is just around the corner; maybe this story will help us keep
Christ in Christmas. Remember He is the Reason for the Season!
-- Author Unknown