The Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December's end

Two neighbors called on an old friend

And they found his shop so meager and lame

Made gay with a thousand bows of green

And Conrad was sittin' with face ashined

When he suddenly stopped as he stiched 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 shined

And over the rafters the holly is twined

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"

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 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'd had a few hours before

So he ran to the window after hearin' a sound

But all he could see on the snow-covered ground

Was a shabby begger who's shoes were torn

And all of his clothes were ragged and worn

But Conrad was touched and he went to the door

And he said

"You 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 ol' lady with a shawl of black

With a bundle of kindlin' 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 awhile 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 slippin' 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 wandered 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 he 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 the Lord was not comin' today

For the hours of Christmas had passed away

So he went to his room and he knelt down to pray

And he said "Dear Lord, why did You delay?

What kept You from comin' 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 three times I came to your lonely door

I was the begger with bruised, cold feet

And I was the woman you gave somethin' 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