THE SON
(Recipe: Lime Mint Ice Cream Bars)

Yesterday I gave the devotional for our Seniors In Action group. (Love this group of people!) So many shared how meaningful my words were, I would like to share part of what I said with you. I read them an old story I had entitled "The Son".

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. Both father and son became experienced art collectors.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. A few weeks later the father received a telegram stating his son had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with sadness. It would not be shared with his son.

On Christmas morning there was a knock on his door. As he opened the door he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He said, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in? 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 father’s love of fine art.

I’m an artist, and I want to give you this. Inside the package was a portrait of the man’s son. Overcome with emotion the man promised to hang the picture above the fireplace.

With the picture hanging above the fireplace, the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. The father would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the heroic stories continued to reach him, the painting became his most prized possession.

The following spring the old man died. The art world was in anticipation. His paintings, worth millions, would be sold at auction. According to his will, this auction would be held on Christmas day, the day he received his greatest gift.

Anxious art collectors arrived. The auction began with the painting of the son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding at $100?” Minutes passed. No one spoke.

Someone yelled, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

No, said the auctioneer, we will sell this one first. Now, who will take the son.

Finally a friend of the old man spoke. Will you take $10 for it. I have $10. “Do I hear a higher bid” called the auctioneer. Silence. “Going once, going twice, sold.” The gavel fell. Cheers erupted, someone exclaimed, “Now we can bid on these treasures.”

The auctioneer announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all these paintings? I demand an explanation?”

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
A Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others
And because of that Father’s love…..whoever takes His Son, gets it all.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, remember, Jesus came as a babe for one reason only. To live among sinners. He had to do this in order to identify with them (yet He himself was without sin). He had to show them how they could have their sins forgiven and the assurance of eternal life. He did this by loving them, teaching them, walking with them, listening to them, forgiving them, healing them and ultimately dying for them.

Just as the man in our story received millions when he simply “took the son”, so, we too, can receive millions when we take “The Son”. Who can put a price-tag on:

the assurance of sins forgiven

the hope of heaven

a heart full of joy and peace

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not do so today. Simply ask Jesus to forgive your sin, believe that he died and rose again for you, then reach out and take the Gift that God so lovingly and graciously offers. Scripture tells us in Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death – (eternally separated from God forever) – but the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.”

If you will reach out and take “The Son” today, you will "get it all."

Lime Mint Ice Cream Bars

36 gingersnap cookies (about 9 oz.)
¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups heavy cream
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup sour cream
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

Heat oven to 350. Line a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick foil, leaving a 3” overhang on two sides
Process cookies until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until blended. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until golden, 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely

Beat heavy cream, condensed milk, sour cream and vanilla in a large bowl until thick, stiff peaks form (3-5 min.). Fold in the mint and lime zest.

Spread over the cooled crust. Cover and freeze at least 8 hours, and up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, use the overhang to transfer to a cutting board and cut into bars.