User blog comment:LastationLover5000/Merry Christmas 2014/@comment-5914413-20141225123815

Funny, while going to the christmas special yesterday ( they are actually a lot better than the regular church sessions too) it dealt with a simlar story, albeit slightly different.

Not sure if you are familiar with the story of the youngest son that left with his part of the heritage while the older brother staid, but it boiled down to the fact that while the youngest was gone with one third of the heritage and got a big feast upon his return, the oldest didn't leave but wanted his father dead as well for the heritage. Now while that might sound weird in relation to your story in short, it actually makes sense since both brothers wanted the same (the heritage) while the youngest one actually returned to his family and actually offered to work for them if that was what it took for him to be able to return to his home, the oldest one refused his family and refused to be a good brother by patiently abiding his time until his dad died. If the oldest would have gone looking for his younger brother, it would not only have strengthened their family bond but would also have increased his chances at a second thing, continuing the family line.

Depending on the translation you got of that story, it would either end with the oldest one disowned while the youngest continued the family line and all ( tying in with the dire problems you mentioned) or both of the sons settling their differences while leaving the rest with an open end but in all versions, the moral of the story was that it didn't matter which traditions you followed, nor whether it was out of obligation or not but that it mattered with who you celebrated it. Celebrating it while hoping a few family members would die or celebrating while enjoying the company of your family, i think most, if not all of us would pick the second one when given the choice.

Anyway, i babbled on long enough now so marry christmas every one before i begin babbling on the other stories ^_^"