Story from the Prairie (4); Whoever takes the Son gets it all, 2003-12-15

가끔씩 이곳에서 읽는 것들 중에 함께 나누었으면 좋겠다 싶어서 영문 그대로를 퍼다 놓는데, 오늘은 갑자기 ‘영문퍼다놓기’에 거부감을 가지신 분들이 계시지 않을까 하는 염려가 생기는 군요. 제 기우일 뿐이기를 바랍니다.

있는 그대로 영문으로 옮기는 이유는 우리말로 다시 쓰자니 귀찮은 것이 그 첫째이고, 우리 동기들에게는 영문으로 읽는 것이 별 부담이 안될 것이라는 확신과 가끔가다가 햄버거로 기분전환 해 보는 것도 괜찮으리라는 생각에서 입니다.

아래의 이야기는 대강절이나 성탄절에 맞는 이야기라서 올립니다. 매년 이맘때면 우리동네 목회자들은 신문사의 요청으로 성탄절 메시지를 기고하는데, 이 작은 시골마을에까지 몇 년 전에 들어온 Fellowship Church 목사가 작년에 이 이야기를 거의 그대로 옮겼더군요. 그래서 저는 이 이야기를 사용하지 못할 것 같습니다.
도움이 되길 바라고, 혹 다른 곳에서 읽으신 분이 있으면 알려 주세요.

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 father looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. But the day came when war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram that his beloved son had been killed while carrying a fellow soldier to a medic.

On Christmas morning a knock came at the door of the old man’s home, and 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. 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 art critics would never consider the work a piece of genius, the painting did feature the young man’s face in striking detail, and seemed to capture his personality.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned. The day soon arrived, and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of 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 for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed with not a sound from those who came to buy. From the back of the room someone callously called out, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the important paintings.” There were other voices which echoed in agreement.

But the auctioneer replied, “But, we have to sell this one first. Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. “I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it. I will bid the $100.” “I have a bid for $100,” called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?” After a long silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once. Going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone was heard to say, “Now we can get on with it!”

But 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 worth of art here! We 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.”


Whoever takes the Son gets it all. Isn’t it the essence of the story of Christmas?
The Bible puts it like this: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life”
(1 John 5:11-



최인옥

횡재했군~~~  [13:23:12]