The Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December's end

Some neighbors called on an old time friend

And they found his shop so meager and lean

Made gay with thousand bows of green

And old Conrad was sitting with face a-shine

When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a 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 coming your guest to be"

So I've been busy with feet astir

Strewing my shop with branches of fern

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 closely so I will hear

His step as He nears my humble place

And I'll open the door and look on His face

Then 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 had 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 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 all of his clothes were ragged and worn

But old Conrad was touched and he went to the door

And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore"

"I have some shoes in my shop for you"

"And I have a coat that'll keep you warmer too"

So with grateful heart the man went away

But Conrad noticed the time of day

And he wondered what made the Lord so late

And how much longer he'd have to wait

Then he heard a knock, he ran to the door

But it was only a stranger once more

A bent old lady with a shawl of black

And a bundle of kindling piled on her back

But she asked for only a place to rest

A place that was reserved for Conrad's great guest

But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away"

"Let me rest for awhile, it's Christmas Day"

So, Conrad brewed her a steaming cup

And told her to sit at the table and sup

And after she left he was filled with dismay

For he saw that the hours were slipping away

And the Lord have 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'd wandered 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 he wiped her tears

And quieted all 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 coming today

For the hours of Christmas had all passed away

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray

And he said "Lord, why did you delay?"

"What kept you from coming to call on me?"

"I wanted so much your face to see"

Then soft in the silence a voice he heard

"Lift up your head for I 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"

"I was honored to be your Christmas Guest"