The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew.
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)
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Years ago, there was a very, very, wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled the world, searching for the finest art treasures to add to their collection.
Works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many other masters adorned the walls of the family home. The widowed, elderly man watched with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father much quiet pride.
Father and son enjoyed working this way together, and life was good. But there were storm clouds on the horizon. There was much coming and going between nations, and finally, the country was drawn into war. Patriotic fervour was at its height, and this young man, with many others, left home to do his duty.
The war was vicious, and almost from the first, there was news of many casualties. Indeed, after only a few short months, the father received a telegram, telling him in short, terse words, that his beloved son was missing in action.
Through Fall and into the Winter, the old man anxiously awaited more news, worrying that he would never see his son again. His fears were finally confirmed when he received news that the young man had died while rushing to get a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmastide with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a time that he and his son had always enjoyed together, was missing this year.
Then, on Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened him. He walked to the door, blind to the many masterpieces on the walls. They only served to remind him of his loss.
At the door, he was greeted by a young man in uniform who told him, “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.” He entered the house, bringing with him, a large package.
As the two began to talk, the soldier recounted how the man’s son had told everyone of his father, and their mutual love of fine art.
“I’m an artist, myself,” said the soldier, “and I want you to have this.”
Puzzled, the old man opened the package, and as the wrapping paper fell away, there was revealed, a portrait of his son. It was not a work of genius, but the artist had captured the young man’s face in striking detail. Holding back his tears, the father thanked the young soldier and promised that the picture would hang in a place of honour, over the great fireplace.
A few hours later, after his son’s friend had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, he hung the portrait above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of paintings. And then he sat in his chair and gazed with moist eyes, at the Christmas gift he had been given.
Other stories of his son’s courage and compassion continued to reach him, and the fatherly pride he felt as he learned more, helped soften his grief. That picture of his son, became his most prized possession, and in his mind, far eclipsed the value of all the other paintings.
Indeed, he often said that painting was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following year, the old man became ill and passed away. His passing was the cause of much anticipation in the art world, especially after it became known that his collection would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
When Christmas came, art collectors and dealers from near and far, gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be realised on this day.
The auction began with a painting that was not on any potential bidder’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 responded. People were impatient. They had come to bid on valuable pieces of art. But the auctioneer continued looking for a bid for the valueless painting.
“Do I hear seventy five?” he called. ”Fifty?” Who will take the son?”
he asked.
Eventually a single voice called out. “I will bid twenty. It’s all I can afford. I knew the father and his son. I would like to have it.”
“I have twenty dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. There were no more bids. “Going once, going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell.
There was a palpable sense of relief in the room. Now they could get on with the business of bidding for the real stuff.
But the auctioneer announced the auction was over. People were stunned. They had come, some of them, thousands of miles for this auction of auctions, and now, it was over? The auctioneer explained, “It’s very simple. You see, according to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.”
This is a week for giving and receiving gifts. Some will be just what we desired. Some will not – although we may politely say, ” Oh that’s what I have always wanted!”
Some will be expensive. Some will have been hard to find.
Getting the right present for each person on our list may have been very difficult. We may have thought long and hard, and searched far and wide for just the right gift.
But no matter how hard we try. No matter how far we travel in search of it. No matter how much money we may spend. We will never be able to give the perfect gift.
You see, there is one gift which, when all is said and done, is the only gift that really matters.
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and Jesus – Jesus – is the gift. He is God’s gift to us.
Isaiah prophesied concerning this gift:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; authority shall rest upon his shoulders; and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
When you find yourself overwhelmed by all that is going on – out there – with Christmas movies, and TV specials, and the best sale ever, and the lights and office parties, and house parties, and wine and mince-pies, and family get-togethers, and turkey and stuffing, and everything that has come to mean so much to us at Christmas – has in fact – become Christmas…..
……………and when the darkness behind it intrudes – the wars going on, thoughts of homeless people, those celebrating alone, memories of those who aren’t with us any more……… then…. lift your eyes, and you will see the one gift that stands out above all others.
You will see a gift that offers more than any glittering earthly treasure, a gift that can bring people out of the darkness and into the light.
You will see a gift that has the promise of love and forgiveness, and peace and joy.
All the stuff that goes on at this time of year can blind us to the promises inherent in this season, but God’s Son is the real gift. God’s Son and all that He means to this world.
Whoever has the Son has it all.
Amen.