Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Christmas Guest (& a special version of Thrifty Thursday)

I ran this last year, and will continue to do so every year. I asked last week if you would like to link any of your favorite Christmas tradition, memories or thriftiness (Thrifty Thursday) today. This story (below)  is a tradition with my family, on Christmas Eve to read this story. We drink hot cocoa by the fire and rea aloud. I hope that maybe you can share this story with your family on this Christmas Eve, and remember and reflect on this special eve the greatest story ever told....

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will" (Luke 2:14).


Every Christmas that I can recall from memory, as a child I would go into my mother's dresser and pull out a newsletter that we received in the mail from a local church. I anticipated listening to a particular story that was in it, "The Christmas Guest"every Christmas Eve, as was tradition. Today I love to gather my own children around the fireplace before Christmas, sip from cups of piping hot chocolate while sitting in our coziest of jammy's and read the story to my children. It is one of those Christmas traditions that is so special. It really makes you stop and think about what Christmas-and life itself-is really about.

Don't miss the very things that are in front of you. God's presence (and His "presents" ) is everywhere. I hope that this story touches you. Print it out, preserve it in your dresser or Christmas box and perhaps it will become a tradition with your family too. I hope that every year you will think of how blessed we are to have one another. We are so rich, I don't mean monetarily but in the things that matter most.

Thankyou for your friendship, it is one of my "presents". May you be blessed.
Merry Christmas.
Leigh
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The Christmas Guest

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 joyful with a thousand bows of green.A nd Conrad was sittin' with face a shining when he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine. And he said "Oh friends at dawn today,When the rooster 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 a stir, A strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined and over the rafter 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 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 a 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 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, "You know 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 kindling piled on her back. She asked for only a place to rest­But that was reserved for Conrad's great guest. But her voice seemed to plea - Don't send me away. Let me rest for a while on Christmas day. So old 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'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 had wondered 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 tear, 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 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 floor­and three times I came to your lowly door. I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,and I was the woman you gave something to eat. 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."

Merry Christmas to all my friends in Bloggeritaville. Thank you for dropping by from time to time. I feel blessed to have made the friendships I have through blogging and am so appreciative of that.
From my home to yours, May the Spirit of Christmas live within you this day and everyday.
God Bless.
Leigh


Thirty Thursday Christmas Traditions, Thrifty Decor & Memories Participants:

19 comments:

The Charm of Home said...

Leigh,
Thanks for posting that I have heard that story many times and never tire of hearing it. It is very true, the Lord is in everyone. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Sherry

Jessica said...

Great story! Merry Christmas to you, too, Leigh!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

A wonderful post Leigh! I'm glad that you re-posted this, I missed it last year. Merry Christmas darlin'!

Martha

Marie Anne said...

Merry Christmas!

Shantel said...

I very much enjoy your blog!!
I've awarded you the 'Stylish Blog Award'...go check it out here:
http://itsapricelesslife.blogspot.com/2010/12/stylish-blog-award-oh-yeah.html
Shantel @
www.itsapricelesslife.blogspot.com

Brenda Pruitt said...

Merry Christmas to you!
Brenda

Rebecca said...

Beautiful story...and you're right. We are RICH!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Merry Christmas Leigh. Sure enjoy this partyl I'm already looking at projects for next year! I ran out of time this year! Hahaha....
Hope your holidays are amazing.
Blessings my sweet friend.
Debbie

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Sweet story, Leigh. How special that you've made it a famiy tradition.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

Thanks for hosting this blog party. Love your blog!

Christie said...

I printed this! Thanks for sharing! I love seeing other peoples traditions! I linked several things...hope that is okay! My family also re-enacts the three wisemen coming to Bethlehem and Joseph and Mary coming to Bethlehem...the children make their own costumes and I read the story while my husband videos it...it is the funniest and cutest thing! We do this just our little family and have enjoyed this through the years...I didn't have it ready for the link party! I will post it soon, though! God bless you and a merry, merry Christmas to you!!

Christie said...

I printed this! Thanks for sharing! I love seeing other peoples traditions! I linked several things...hope that is okay! My family also re-enacts the three wisemen coming to Bethlehem and Joseph and Mary coming to Bethlehem...the children make their own costumes and I read the story while my husband videos it...it is the funniest and cutest thing! We do this just our little family and have enjoyed this through the years...I didn't have it ready for the link party! I will post it soon, though! God bless you and a merry, merry Christmas to you!!

Sue said...

I have always loved this story. It serves to make us think about how we live our daily lives. Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Leigh! ~ Sue

Amy said...

Last year, I saw this on your blog, and I saved it to my desktop. I wish I would've remembered it at our family Christmas party, I wanted to read it to everyone.

I'll print it out and give to each of my daughter's. Thanks for sharing!

very merry vintage style said...

A Beautiful story... Merry Christmas! Thanks for hosting the party.
Mary

nancygrayce said...

I love that precious story! And all your creations! I am going back to see how to make the 3 ingredient cookies and the dryer hose wreath! :)

Merry Christmas dear blog friend!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh Leigh, what a wonderful post!
Thanks!!!
And I am SO glad to have found you through blogging; I think yours was one of the very first blogs I ever read, and linked to.
:-)
Merry Merry Christmas, my dear!
Cass

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday, Leigh!!!!


Also wanted to invite you to link up a post at my Coastal Blog Linkup 2010, starting Mo Dec 27th!

Take care.

Glacier Dreaming said...

I read this story just before heading out to our Christmas Eve candlelight service. and it put me in such a perfect frame of mind. Thanks.