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. - John 3:16
Many would agree as we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the last month of 2013 that the days are fraught with trials, troubles and tribulations, much to our lack of faith, trust, love and non-forgiveness.
We did and said things that were far from adding to the growth of nation, family, friends and the brotherhood. But most of all, we have not been, for the most part, appreciative of the most valuable gift to humankind of all times, the son of the most high God - Jesus Christ.
Christmas is almost here, and it is all about the son. It is joy to the world and peace toward all men. A story is told about a painting called "My Son", which may bring a clearer picture of what our text is about today in what I would call the acceptance.
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his live. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out this package, "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding - $100, $200?"
Another voice shouted angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued, "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son, "I'll give $10 for the painting."
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10 ... who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters," said a voice.
The auctioneer said, "Ten dollars is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel, "Going once, twice, sold for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel, "I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his Son, the gift at Christmas over 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. If only you would accept him, then everything belongs to you; similar to the message of the auctioneer. Whoever received the son gets everything. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Why not let this Christmas be your acceptance of the greatest gift of all time. You have nothing to lose, only everything to gain.

o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com; write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, comments and concerns. God's Blessings!

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