D D D D [Verse 1] D It happened one day near December's end C Two neighbors called on an old friend And they found his shop so meager and lean A Made gay with thousand bows of green And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine D When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine D And he said "Old friends, at dawn today D When the cock was crowing the night away The Lord appeared in a dream to me C And said "I'm coming your guest to be." [Verse 2] C So I've been busy with feet astir A Strewing my shop with branches of fern A The table is spread and the kettle is shined D And over the rafters the holly is twined D G Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear And listen closely so I will hear Em His step as He nears my humble place G And I'll open the door and look on His face [Verse 3] A So his friends went home and left Conrad alone D For this was the happiest day he had known For long since, his family had passed away G And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day Em But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas Guest This Christmas would be the dearest and best A So he listened with only joy in his heart And with every sound he would rise with a start D And look for the Lord to be at his door Like the vision he had had a few hours before D So he ran to the window after hearing a sound C But all he could see on the snow covered ground Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn A And all of his clothes were ragged and worn [Verse 4] A But Conrad was touched and he went to the door D And he said, "You know, your feet must be frozen and sore D I have some shoes in my shop for you And a coat that will keep you warmer too." C So with grateful heart the man went away But Conrad noticed the time of day A And wondered what made the Lord so late And how much longer he'd have to wait D When he heard a knock, he ran to the door G But it was only a stranger once more A bent old lady with a shawl of black D With a bundle of kindling piled on her back She asked for only a place to rest A But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest [Verse 5] D But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away G Let me rest for awhile on Christmas Day" So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup Em And told her to sit at the table and sup But after she left he was filled with dismay A For he saw that the hours were slipping away D And the Lord hadn't come as he said he would Then Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood D When out of the stillness he heard a cry 'Please help me and tell me where am I?" C So again he opened his friendly door And stood disappointed as twice before A It was only a child who'd wandered away D And was lost from her family on Christmas Day [Verse 6] Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad D But he knew he should make the little girl glad So he called her in and he wiped her tears C And quieted all her childish fears Then he led her back to her home once more A But as he entered his own darkened door D He knew the Lord was not coming today G For the hours of Christmas had passed away [Verse 7] G So he went to his room and knelt down to pray Em And he said "Dear Lord, why did you delay? A What kept you from coming to call on me? D For I wanted so much your face to see.' G When soft in the silence a voice he heard "Lift up your head for I kept my word Em Three times my shadow crossed your floor A And three times I came to your lonely door I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet D And I was the woman you gave something to eat D I was the child on the homeless street Three times I knocked, and three times I came in C And each time I found the warmth of a friend A Of all the gifts, love is the best D And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest