It happened one day near December's end, two neighbors called on an old-time friend, and they found his shop so meager and mean made gay with a thousand boughs of green and Conrad was sitting with face a shine-- When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine and said, " Old friends, at dawn today When the cock was crowing the night away the Lord appeared in a dream to me and said, 'I am coming your guest to be' So I've been busy with feet a stir, 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 will wait for my Lord to appear and listen closely so I will hear His step as he nears my humble place and I open the door and look on his face." So his friends went home and left Conrad alone For this was the happiest day he had known; For long since his family had passed away and Conrad has spent many 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 he would rise with a start and look for the Lord to be at his door Like the vision he had a few hours before So he ran to the window after hearing a sound But all he could see on the snow-covered ground Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn and he said," Your feet must be frozen and sore-- I have some shoes in my shop for you and a coat that will keep you warmer too." So with grateful heart the man went away-- But Conrad noticed the time of day He wondered what made the dear Lord so late and how much longer he'd have to wait When he heard a knock and ran to the door But it was only a stranger once more A bent old lady with a shawl of black with 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 But her voice seemed to plead," Don't send me away. Let me rest for a while on Christmas day." So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup and told her to sit at the table and sup. But after she left he was filled with dismay For he saw that the hours were slipping 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 and tell me where am I" So again he opened his friendly door and stood disappointed as twice before It was only a child who had wondered away and was lost from her family on Christmas day Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad But he knew he could make this little girl glad So he called her in and wiped her tears and quieted all her childish fears Then he led her back to her home once more. But as he entered his own darkened door, He knew that the Lord was not coming today For the hours of Christmas had passed away So he went to his room and knelt to pray, and he said," Lord why did you delay? What kept you from calling on me, For I wanted so much your face to see." When soft in the silence, a voice he heard, "Lift up your head for I kept my word, 3 times my shadow crossed your floor; 3 times I came to your lowly door; For I was the beggar with the bruised, cold feet; I was the woman you gave something to eat; and I was the child on the homeless street; 3 times I knocked, 3 times I came in. and each time I found the warmth of a friend. Of all the gifts, love is the best; I was honored to be your Christmas guest."
Back to Homepage