THE CHRISTMAS GUEST
        (by Grandpa Jones & Bill Walker)
         (Transcribed by Jeff Penick)

It happened one day near Decembers end
Two neighbors called on a old friend,
And they found his shop so meager and lean
Made gay with a thousand bows of green.

And Conrad was sitting with face ashine
When he suddenly stopped as he stiched 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'm coming you guest to be,
So I've been busy with feet a stir
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,
Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear
And listen careful so I can 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 the 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 a vision he had, had a few hours before.

So he ran to a window after hearing a sound
But all he could see on the snow covered ground
Was a shaggy 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 said I know that 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
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 old lady with a shawl of black
With a bundle of kindlin piled on her back

She asked only for 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 ole' 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 that he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness -- he heard a cry,
Please help me, and tell me, where am I.

So, again he opend his friendly door
And stood disappointed as twice before.
But 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 quited 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 you floor
And three times I came to your lonely door.

--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 you Christmas Guest.