Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us.
And for thanks we nailed Him to the cross, and in His agony he looked down at us - denying Him, abandoning Him, and betraying Him - and in the greatest act of love in history, He said, ‘Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.’
He shed tears for those that shed His blood. Jesus was God and man in one person, tortured to utmost agony, and crying for us while dying for us, so that, far beyond the eve of Adam’s sin, God and man might reconcile and unite together again.
It is for these reasons that no one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. While other gods may have been as devoutly worshiped, no other man has been so devoutly loved. —Bridged Quotes from Various Authors
God gave Jesus eternally to us and this gift is the greatest Christmas gift ever given. But Christ is ours to take or leave, as we are all innkeepers who get to choose whether there is room enough for Jesus in our hearts. So the question is, will you take the Son?
Who Will Take the Son, By Unknown [Modified]
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had nearly everything in their gallery, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often spend hours together admiring and discussing the stunning compositions before them.
One day the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while saving another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only child.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood there with a large gleaming package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in his heart. In his shock his death was painless.
He often spoke about you and your shared love of art.” The young man brought forward his hands. “I know it isn’t much. I’m not a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father unwrapped the parcel. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. The father stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his lost future on the canvas. The father was so drawn to his son’s eyes that his own eyes welled with tears. His throat seized. He thanked the young man as best he could and, nearly choking, offered to pay him for the priceless image. “Oh, no, sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It is a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. From then on whenever visitors came to call, he first took them to see the painting of his son before he presented any of the other great works they had collected together. ...And yet, still heartbroken, with only his son’s portrait to console - as well as torture by his absence - overtime the gentlemen’s body failed him as his heart was steadily cut-up from the sum total of gloom, grief is capable of rending.
There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the fruit of the greatest artists and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer pounded the gavel.
“We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence. Then a voice near the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip that 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 armature portrait! We came to see the Van Goughs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids.” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! Who will take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son, of whom both he was fond. “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.” But the auctioneer continued. “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the image 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!” But the auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“All apologies. When I was called to conduct the auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the art collection. That man in the back who took the son gets everything.”
God gave his son over 2000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son, gets everything...
Alex,Merry Xmas and thank you,i’m not going nuts after all!!.I was forced into going to a Catholic senior school after going to a Cof E junior school and the catholic school rigidity and lack of answers to my teenage questions forced me into the agnostic box for the rest of my life up until now.With all this hate and division from “THE CULT” i’ve started trying to work out why i am so at odds with them and beginning to resent them and their daily abrasions and mental bruises inflicted on me daily.Ive struggled to work out why im so affected and it is because i live my life in a very christian way with christian values despite being a non believer or a “just don’t know”I am happy to start attending church now as long as i dont feel like a hypocrite and im not forced to take communion etc.Im in Greece and will definitely be visiting my local Greek Orhodox church this Sunday coming up and IM looking forward to it as im currently very happy with life but feel i need that glue that the Christian church gives us all and stops the division” the cult”seem to thrive on.Merry Christmas and keep the Faith in humanity or the Sun or whatever makes you happy and whole ~John
What an excellent and beautifully expressed piece that encapsulates everything that western civilisation should be quietly proud of. Your writings are often provocative (in a good way) but always thoughtful, logical and erudite. Thank you.
Have a wonderful Christmas and come back in the New Year refreshed and ready to continue the struggle with the destructive political culture that we are all embroiled in.
Alex, you never cease to amaze me with your publications which all benefit from intense research providing engaging / educating facts. While I enjoy each and every publication it must be taking a toll on you? Therefore, enjoy the Christmas break and refresh your batteries.
When you were in Israel last month, I hope that besides Jerusalem, you got to take a trip up north to Nazareth. That was Jesus’s hometown and it still has a biblical feel to it.
Alex is wonderful to hear a young person saying the words you are about Our Lord
When I was young religion was taught in all our schools we had morning assembly and worship
People went to church and supported our communities and people cared about others
Today it isn’t so and they wonder why the Muslim faith is taking over a Christian country they are not taking over we have are letting them have it
We all need to get back to our teachings and go back to God and preach our Christian beliefs broadcast the true meaning of Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the death and resurrection of our Lord
I’m an old person who still believes in the lord and God and still tell people of my faith
Even if we accept the "sociological" aspects of the Christian message, we still get all tangled up trying to unravel all the bits we need for a "perfect society". That's because - fundamentally - Christianity isn't about society. It's about a personal walk with God through Jesus. And as everyone bends the knee to the King of Kings... society gets better and better... one life at a time.
I hope you had a joyous Christmas Alex, you put your case very well, and it saddens me those encouraging Islam into the western world are doing it to gain power not as Christianity does to encourage peace and good will to all men (& women).
Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us.
And for thanks we nailed Him to the cross, and in His agony he looked down at us - denying Him, abandoning Him, and betraying Him - and in the greatest act of love in history, He said, ‘Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.’
He shed tears for those that shed His blood. Jesus was God and man in one person, tortured to utmost agony, and crying for us while dying for us, so that, far beyond the eve of Adam’s sin, God and man might reconcile and unite together again.
It is for these reasons that no one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. While other gods may have been as devoutly worshiped, no other man has been so devoutly loved. —Bridged Quotes from Various Authors
God gave Jesus eternally to us and this gift is the greatest Christmas gift ever given. But Christ is ours to take or leave, as we are all innkeepers who get to choose whether there is room enough for Jesus in our hearts. So the question is, will you take the Son?
Who Will Take the Son, By Unknown [Modified]
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had nearly everything in their gallery, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often spend hours together admiring and discussing the stunning compositions before them.
One day the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while saving another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only child.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood there with a large gleaming package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in his heart. In his shock his death was painless.
He often spoke about you and your shared love of art.” The young man brought forward his hands. “I know it isn’t much. I’m not a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father unwrapped the parcel. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. The father stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his lost future on the canvas. The father was so drawn to his son’s eyes that his own eyes welled with tears. His throat seized. He thanked the young man as best he could and, nearly choking, offered to pay him for the priceless image. “Oh, no, sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It is a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. From then on whenever visitors came to call, he first took them to see the painting of his son before he presented any of the other great works they had collected together. ...And yet, still heartbroken, with only his son’s portrait to console - as well as torture by his absence - overtime the gentlemen’s body failed him as his heart was steadily cut-up from the sum total of gloom, grief is capable of rending.
There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the fruit of the greatest artists and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer pounded the gavel.
“We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence. Then a voice near the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip that 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 armature portrait! We came to see the Van Goughs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids.” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! Who will take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son, of whom both he was fond. “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.” But the auctioneer continued. “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the image 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!” But the auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“All apologies. When I was called to conduct the auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the art collection. That man in the back who took the son gets everything.”
God gave his son over 2000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son, gets everything...
Excerpt from and more like this here: https://tritorch.substack.com/p/the-light-is-gathering-3-unto-earth
Merry Christmas Alex!
Happy Christmas you lovely Lady x
Alex,Merry Xmas and thank you,i’m not going nuts after all!!.I was forced into going to a Catholic senior school after going to a Cof E junior school and the catholic school rigidity and lack of answers to my teenage questions forced me into the agnostic box for the rest of my life up until now.With all this hate and division from “THE CULT” i’ve started trying to work out why i am so at odds with them and beginning to resent them and their daily abrasions and mental bruises inflicted on me daily.Ive struggled to work out why im so affected and it is because i live my life in a very christian way with christian values despite being a non believer or a “just don’t know”I am happy to start attending church now as long as i dont feel like a hypocrite and im not forced to take communion etc.Im in Greece and will definitely be visiting my local Greek Orhodox church this Sunday coming up and IM looking forward to it as im currently very happy with life but feel i need that glue that the Christian church gives us all and stops the division” the cult”seem to thrive on.Merry Christmas and keep the Faith in humanity or the Sun or whatever makes you happy and whole ~John
What an excellent and beautifully expressed piece that encapsulates everything that western civilisation should be quietly proud of. Your writings are often provocative (in a good way) but always thoughtful, logical and erudite. Thank you.
Have a wonderful Christmas and come back in the New Year refreshed and ready to continue the struggle with the destructive political culture that we are all embroiled in.
Alex, you never cease to amaze me with your publications which all benefit from intense research providing engaging / educating facts. While I enjoy each and every publication it must be taking a toll on you? Therefore, enjoy the Christmas break and refresh your batteries.
When you were in Israel last month, I hope that besides Jerusalem, you got to take a trip up north to Nazareth. That was Jesus’s hometown and it still has a biblical feel to it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Alex!
Thank you for this. I was ‘surprised by joy’ over 40 years ago, a reluctant convert but God has never let me go. Your writing refreshes my soul.
Merry Christmas Alex. Thank you for reminding people about Jesus.
Wishing you a Peaceful Christmas and an amazing 2026 Bonnie Lass xx
Your message was uplifting. I find myself reflecting and returning to faith in Christ.
I wish you and all your readers a very happy Christmas.
Graham ❤️
God bless you Alex, have a peaceful and merry Christmas.
Alex is wonderful to hear a young person saying the words you are about Our Lord
When I was young religion was taught in all our schools we had morning assembly and worship
People went to church and supported our communities and people cared about others
Today it isn’t so and they wonder why the Muslim faith is taking over a Christian country they are not taking over we have are letting them have it
We all need to get back to our teachings and go back to God and preach our Christian beliefs broadcast the true meaning of Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the death and resurrection of our Lord
I’m an old person who still believes in the lord and God and still tell people of my faith
Gob Bless your Alex xx
Thanks for this, so true! Every blessing this Christmas Alex 🙏
Lovely piece and peace.
Even if we accept the "sociological" aspects of the Christian message, we still get all tangled up trying to unravel all the bits we need for a "perfect society". That's because - fundamentally - Christianity isn't about society. It's about a personal walk with God through Jesus. And as everyone bends the knee to the King of Kings... society gets better and better... one life at a time.
Bless you all...
I hope you had a joyous Christmas Alex, you put your case very well, and it saddens me those encouraging Islam into the western world are doing it to gain power not as Christianity does to encourage peace and good will to all men (& women).
A beautiful, brilliant article. Thank you Alex for all you do and I thank God and Jesus for what you are. Happy Christmas.