ANGELS

Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar came across a window sill angel that was presiding over some tender roots upstairs in the CUMC.  They thought of the end of Conrad’s story:

SCRIPTURE

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrew 13:2)

FOOLISH WISDOM

“The Christmas Guest”-Part 3 (Helen Steiner Rice)

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 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 could make this little girl glad.

So he called her in and wiped her tears,

And he quieted all her childish fears.

Then he led her back to her home once more,

And as he entered his own darkened door,

He knew the Lord was not coming today,

for the hours of Christmas had all passed away.

So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.

And he said, “Lord, why did you delay?

What kept you from coming to call on me?

I wanted so much for Your face to see.”

Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.

“Lift up your head- I have kept My word.

Three times my shadow crossed your floor.

Three times I came to your lowly door.

I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet;

I was the woman you gave something to eat;

I was the child on the homeless street.

Three times I knocked, three times I came in,

And each time I found the warmth of a friend.

Of all the gifts, love is the best.

I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

-Helen Steiner Rice

PRAYER

Slow me down Lord, that I may see my brother when he walks beside me in need.  Amen.