The Christmas Guest

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

There’s a poem that Grandpa Jones of Grand Ole’ Opry fame, often told during Christmas time. It’s called, “The Christmas Guest.” For years, during our church’s Christmas pageants, one of our choir members would recite this poem as a part of the program. It’s the story of Conrad, a lonely shopkeeper who had a dream that the Lord would come to be his Christmas guest. Conrad prepared his home with all the best as he waited for the Lord to appear. He was excited to look upon the Lord’s face.

Only, the Lord didn’t come that day as Conrad had expected. Instead, three unexpected events happened. First, Conrad heard a sound and looked out the window thinking the Lord was there. Instead, he saw a beggar in the snow, with ragged clothes and shoes that were torn. Conrad felt sorry for the beggar and gave him shoes and a coat to keep him warm. Next, a knock on the door revealed a bent old lady who just wanted a place to rest. Conrad, wondering why the Lord had not come, welcomed the old lady into his home, gave her something to eat, a warm drink, and let her rest. After she left, Conrad could see that the hours were slipping away, yet the Lord had not come. Finally, Conrad heard the sound of a lost child crying for help. In his compassion for the child, Conrad calmed the child’s fears and then helped her get back home.

Saddened that the time had slipped away, that night, Conrad knelt by his bed, asking the Lord why He didn’t come to be his Christmas guest.

The Lord spoke to Conrad telling him three times that day He had come to his lonely door. He was the beggar with cold, bruised feet; He was the woman Conrad gave something to eat; and He was the child on the homeless street. The Lord told Conrad that in each of those people, He had found the warmth of a friend. Conrad had welcomed them all and did what he could to help each one. Conrad had expected one thing, but God chose another way to be Conrad’s Christmas guest.

I love the message of this poem and was reminded of many years ago when I was in the hospital for surgery. On the morning of surgery, I received visits from two people from my church that I had been expecting. Each prayed for successful surgery and healing over me. I was very appreciative. However, I had been expecting another visitor and was disappointed when that person didn’t show up. As I mulled this in my mind, an unexpected person came into the room. Through that visit, I heard the most beautiful and powerful prayer directed upward on my behalf. It was an amazing experience and a great lesson for me.

Just like Conrad, I learned that God sends those of His choosing to us. He sends the unexpected to show us that He loves us in ways we sometimes don’t understand and uses methods we would not have expected. I also learned not to keep my eyes on particular individuals because they will disappoint me at one time or another. The feeling of having been slighted by someone I looked up to that day, soon gave way to gratitude that God always knows and does what is best for me.

Through this poem, I hope we will all be more aware that God has a way of sending us His best in ways we’ve never anticipated. During this Christmas season, and every day, may we be aware of those He puts in our paths, and may we welcome them as our Christmas guests in whatever way is needed.

Prayer: Father, thank you for bringing Yourself to our lives through others. Help us to be aware of the people You choose to place along our path daily. Give us wisdom to know how to help in whatever ways needed. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.