The Christmas Guest

It happened day near December’s end
Two neighbors called on an old friend.
They found his house so meager and lean
Made gay a thousand bows of green.
And Conrad was sittin’ with faces shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he said, “Oh friends at dawn today
When the cock was crowin’ the night away
The Lord appeared in a dream to me
And said ‘I’m comin’ your guest to be.’
So I’ve been busy with feet astir
And strewin’ my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shine
And over the rafters the holly is twine.
Now I’ll wait from 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.”
So 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 had spent many a sad Christmas day.
But he knew with this 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’d 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 he Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said, “Ya know, your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you
And a coat that’ll keep you warmer too.”
So with grateful heart the man went away
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And wondered what made the Lord so late
And how much longer he’d have to wait.
When 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
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 steamin’ 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 hadn’t come as he said he would
And Conrad felt sure he’d 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 wondered away
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad’s heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make the 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 darken door
He knew the Lord was not coming today.
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, “Dear Lord, why did you delay.
What kept you from coming to call 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.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
And 3 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 and 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.”