The Christmas Guest
It happened one day, at Decembers end. Some Neighbors called on an old time friend. They found his shop so meager and mean, Made gay with a thousand boughs of green. And Conrad was sitting there, wit face a-shine,when he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine. And he said "My friends at dawn today, when the cock was crowing the night away, The Lord appeared in a dream to me, and he said "I'm comin your guest to be". So I've been busy with feet astir, Strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined, and over the rafters the holly is twined. And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear, and listen closley so I will hear his step as He nears my humble place and I open the door and look into His face.Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone, for this was the happiest day he'd known. For long since his family had passed away, and Conrad spent a sad Christmas day. But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest, this Christmas would be the dearest and best. So he listened with only Joy in his heart, and with every sound, would rise with a start. He looked for the Lord to be at his door. Like thi vision he had a few hours before. So he ran to window after hearing a sound, butt all saw on the snow covered ground, was a shaggy beggar whose soes were torn. All of his clothes were ragged and worn. But Conrad was touched and he went to the door and said "your feet must be cold and sore... I have some shoes in the shop for you and a coat that will keep you warmer too". So with a graceful heart the man went away, but Conrad noticed the time of day, and he wondered, what made the Lord so late? and how mucj longer he would have to wait.
Then he heard another knock and ran to the door, but it was only a stranger once more. A bent old lady with a shawl of black, a bundle of kindling piled on her back.She asked for only a place to rest, but that was reserved for Conrad's great guest. Her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away Let me rest awhile this Christmas day". So Conrad brewed her a steamin cup,and told her to sit at the table and sup. After she left he was filled with disamy, for he saw that the hours were slippin away. And the Lord had not come as he said he would, and Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood. When out of the stillness he heard a cry, "Please help me tell me where am I", So again he opened his friendly door, and stood disapointed as twice before. It was a child who had wandered away, was lost from her family this Christmas day. Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad, but he knew he should make this little girl glad. So he called her in and wiped her tears ad quieted her childish fears.Then he led her back to her home once more, then as he entered his own darkened door, he knew the Lord was not comin today. For the hours of christmas has passed away. So he went to his room and knelt down to pray, he said "Lord, Why did you delay?, What kept you from comin to call on me? For I so much wanted your face to see... Then soft in the silence a voice he heard, Lift up your head I have kept my word, Three times my shadow crossed your floor -- Three times I came to your lonely door -- I was the beggar with bruised cold feet, I was the woman you gave something to eat -- I was the child on the homeless street, Three times I knocked Three times I came in, and each time I found the warmth of a friend. Of all the gifts, Love is the best, and I was honored to be your Christmas Guest |
