My dear wife pointed me to this Christmas story that pretty much sums up what we as Christians are tasked to do in our daily lives. Merry Christmas to all!
THE CHRISTMAS GUEST
It happened one day near December’s end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend,
And they found his shop so meager and poor,
Made bright with boughs from ceiling to floor,
And Conrad was sitting with 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 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 will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as he nears my humble place-
Then 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 had known.
For long since his family has passed away,
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his great 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 the door
Like a dream 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 all of his clothes were ragged and worn;
But Conrad was touched and went to the door,
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.".
