The Christmas Guest Lyrics - Christmas Songs 2

It happened one day near December's end 

Two neighbors called on an old friend 

And they found his shop so meager and lean 

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."