The Greatest Gift

The time is 1917, a wealthy widowed man and his beloved young son shared a passion for collecting the world's finest paintings. 

As war engulfed the nation, the son left to serve his country. In just weeks, word came that his son was tragically killed rescuing a fellow soldier.

Sometime later, on a cold Christmas morning, a knock came at the door. As the old man opened the door, he was greeted by a uniformed soldier with a large package. He said, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died.” As tears streamed down the soldier's face,  he recanted and retold the stories the fallen son had shared while in the trenches.  Stories of art collecting, but the greatest joy was spending time with his father.  "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 son.

The old man spent Christmas Day gazing at the free gift he had been given. Over the coming weeks, stories of his son’s bravery poured in and he discovered his son had actually rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before he was struck down. 

Shortly thereafter, the old man passed away. According to the will of the father, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

Art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on the world’s most spectacular paintings.

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, "Who will open the bidding with $100?" From the back of the room, a voice said, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of the old mans son, let's get on to the good stuff."

"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" The room was silent. 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."The auctioneer called, "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." 

The gavel fell, The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. The room was flabbergasted, one attendee 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!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.“

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

On Christmas Day, the message is still the same: the love of the Father, whose greatest joy came from His Son, who went away and gave his life rescuing (saving) others. Because of the Father’s love, whoever takes the Son (Jesus), gets it all.

Y’all have a great day, GOD bless you, and Merry Christmas.