THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.. AND SANTA'S CHRISTMAS EVE PRAYER

The Christmas Guest

(Grandpa Jones/Bill Walker)

It happened one day near December's end
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend
And they found his shop so meager and lean
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.





And Conrad was sitting with face ashined
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And he 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
And 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."


                                                                 CONRAD Bladey Peasant

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer

On Christmas Eve I heard a sound 
I'd never heard before. 
A voice was softly speaking 
And I wanted to hear more.

So very quietly I arose 
From the bed where I was laying. 
I tiptoed to the living room 
Where I heard Santa praying.  

"Dear Jesus, It's your birthday 
And I just want to say, 
Thanks for letting me be a part 
Of your very special day."

"I always have believed in you 
I know that you are real. 
But there are some who don't believe 
And how sad that makes me feel."

"Some houses have no Bible 
They have no manger scene. 
Some people speak of Christmas 
But forget what it really means."

"I pray someday they all will know 
What Your love's worth, and then 
I know that they will understand 
The importance of your birth.

Amen!"

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Help everyone to understand what You would have them to believe about Christmas.. Your birth? (even though it most likely was NOT that day, still You were born) Love for each other? Or perhaps, Giving, Sharing, along with  love?  1 Corinthians 13;13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

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 Today and daily I am praying for you and yours and ask that you in turn pray for family and friends, and "unspoken prayer request". Praying that God will bless each of you and yours  spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially and with HIS awesome love, grace, mercies, forgiveness, guidance and a special blessing that only HE knows you need. Please Lord, help everyone to "feel" You and Your presence in their lives. Praying for the sick, please touch each of them and give them comfort . Praying for the hurting and the grieving.. please Lord grant comfort and inner peace. Praying for everyone that has to be out on the roads today, for safety and guidance. Praying for all of the soldiers, police, and service workers of all kinds, safety, comfort, and inner peace and inner peace for their families. GIVING THANKS FOR ALL THINGS IN JESUS HOLY NAME, WITH OUR LOVE, HONOR, PRAISE AND GLORY, AMEN.