Thursday, December 20, 2007

The True Christmas Spirit

I was reading my devotional book this morning in my quiet time and came across this story. I hope it encourages your heart like it did mine.

"One night Conrad, a cobler of shoes, dreamed that Christ would come to his shop on the following day. Early the next morning Conrad went to the woods to gather greens and flowers to decorate his simple shop for the Lord's coming.

All morning he waited, but the only visitor was an old man who asked if he could sit down to rest. Conrad saw that his shoes were worn. Before sending the stranger on his way, conrad put the best pair of shoes in his shop on the old man's feet.

Throughout the afternoon Conrad waited for the Lord's coming, but the only person he saw was an old woman struggling under a heavy load. Out of compassion he brought her in and gave her some food he had prepared for Christ. She went on her way refreshed.

Just as evening was falling, a lost child entered Conrad's shop. Conrad carried the child home, and then hurried back, lest he miss the coming of Christ.

Though Conrad waited long and patiently, Christ did not come. Finally, in disappointment, the old cobbler cried;

Why is it Lord, that your feet delay?
Did you forget that this was the day?
Then soft in the silence a voice he 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 the bruised feet;
I was the woman you gave to eat;
I was the child on the homless street!"
I pray that I will always remember the true meaning of Christmas and teach my girls that truth! May you also know Jesus as your Savior, and may you and yours find the joy of sharing with others in need. Then Christmas for you will not be merely a holiday but a holy day, a celebration of the love of God and love for others. And that is what Christmas is really all about.

5 comments:

Sarah said...

Merry Christmas, Carly, Chris, Kailey, & Lauryn!

~melissa p. said...

thanks for sharing that beautiful story and reminding us the true meaning of Christmas.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

~melissa p.

Jennifer said...

thank you for the story, it is something we needed to be reminded of on a daily basis! have a very merry Christmas!
:) jenn

Unknown said...

thanks so much for sharing this. it brought tears to my eyes. what have we all done to this season? with all of the stress and busyness i wonder if i'd make the time...had i not been reminded. blessings, jeanna

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing the story, have a Merry Christmas!