HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-12-22, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER-22, 2005.
Christian Reformed Church
All Are Welcome
Luke 2: 10-11
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all
the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.”
WORSHIP SERVICES
Christmas Morning -10:00 a.m.
Pastor John Kuperus
Sermon Title: Waiting for the Messiah
Text: Luke 2: 22-40
7:30 p.m. - Sunday School Christmas Program
Everyone Welcome
Babysitting provided
So I’ve been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The Lord appeared in a dream to me,
And said, “I am coming your guest to be”.
The Christmas Guest
It happened one day at the year’s white end,
Two neighbours called on an old-time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of greei
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And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine.
And said, “Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For his was the happiest day he had known.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest
This Christmas would be the dearest and best,
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were tom
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground
The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters the holly is twined.
For, long since, his family had passed away
And Conrad has spent a sad Christmas Day.
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face...
And 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 standing there
In answer to his earnest prayer.
And now I will wait for my Lordlo appear
And listen closely so I will hear
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When he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more
A bent, old crone with a shawl of blacl
A bundle of faggots piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad’s Great Guest.
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But her voice seemed to plead, “Don’t send me away
Let me rest awhile on Christmas day.”
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So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sip.
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But after she left he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were passing away
And the Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had 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 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 this little child glad,
So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted 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 dow 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.”
So Conrad was touched and went to the door
And he said, “Your feed must be frozen and sore,
And 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 as Conrad noticed the time of the day.
He wondered what made the dear Lord so late
And how much longer he’d have to wait.
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 -
Three times I came to your lonely door—
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet,
I was the woman you gave to eat,
And I was the child on the homeless street.”
Helen Steiner Rice