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'll 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 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 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 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 "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 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 awhile 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 hadn't 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 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 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 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
Three times I came to your lowly door

For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet
I was the woman you gave something to eat
And 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."

Matthew 25:32-46