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 the 
family estate.  The widowed old 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 minutes?  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 own and 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 his 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 priceless 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, 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.  Gone." 
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 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."

Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? 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.