How The Great Guest Came

The poem, “How the Great Guest Came,” was written by the famous poet Edwin Markham.
It tells the story of a poor cobbler named Conrad. He was known in his village as a righteous and kindhearted man. One night Conrad dreamt Jesus Christ was going to visit him the very next day.
The dream was so vivid the cobbler prepared for the visit of the Great Guest. He decorated his humble shop with beautiful evergreens and bought the most delicious foods he could get in the market.
The poem says:
He lived the moments o’er and o’er,
When the Lord should enter the lowly door—
The knock, the call, the latch pulled up,
The lighted face, the offered cup.
He would wash the feet where the spikes had been,
He would kiss the hands where the nails went in,
And then at the last would sit with Him
And break the bread as the day grew dim.

It would be the greatest day in Conrad’s life! The hours flew so fast. Shortly after noon, an old beggar came. His feet were bruised and bloody and his shoes were already worn out.Conrad gave the beggar a sturdy pair of shoes. A little while later, an old woman came by, tired and hungry, with a bundle of firewood on her back. Conrad fed the hungry stranger and gave her a loaf of bread to take.
Then, at dusk, a little boy came to his door, lost and afraid. Conrad took the crying child in his arms, gave him milk to drink and asked him where he lived. He took the child home to the anxious mother.
It was already dark when Conrad got home. Suddenly, he felt sad that the Great Guest he was expecting did not come.

The poem continues:
Why is it, Lord, that Your feet delay?
Did you forget that this was the day?
Then, soft in the silence a Voice was heard:
Lift up your heart, for I kept My word.
Three times I came to your friendly door,
Three times My Shadow was on your floor;
I was the beggar with bruised feet;
I was the woman you gave to eat;
I was the child of the homeless street.

In this day and age when people’s inhumanity to others still persists here and in many parts of the world, what could be a better reminder of the true spirit of Christmas than this story about the Great Guest?