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Conrad's Great
Guest
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I know this song from my childhood. Only Grandpa Jones could
do this song justice. For those of you who are wondering what you are
going to do for Christmas since you can't afford your "usual flair"...
consider the following.
It happened one day near December's end
Two neighbors called on an old time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean
Made gay with a thousand bows of green.
And Conrad was sittin' with his face ashined
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched 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 coming 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.
And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so his step I will hear.
As He nears my humble place
I'll open the door and look upon HIs face.
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone
For this was the happiest day he had known.
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.
And 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 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'll keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart the man went away
But Conrad noticed the time of day.
And 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
And 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.
Her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away
Let me rest for a while 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 the hours were slippn' away
And the Lord hadn't come as He said He would.
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 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 he knelt down to
pray
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did You delay?
What kept You from comin' to call on me today?
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.
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet
And I was the woman you gave something 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.
This song is actually entitled "The Christmas Guest" and I heard it
online. I googled "Conrad's Great Guest" and the lyrics appeared with a
little picture of a fireplace containing the triangle to click, should
you desire to hear this song.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
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