When I awoke this Christmas morn,

 I looked outside to see,

Flakes of white were falling

And they covered every tree.

The scene was so delightful,

The silence so serene.

As I looked, I saw a shadow,

And thought, “what have I seen?”

The shadow moved, I glanced again,

And wondered what it could be.

It was then I saw a tattered old man,

Huddled close to a big oak tree.

The coat he wore was shabby and worn.

 There was nothing covering his head.

His beard was white from the falling snow,

His hands, chapped and red.

I rushed to the door and called to him,

“Come inside, it’s warm in here”.

He hesitated, but entered.

I never once felt any fear.

I asked him why he was outside,

When the weather was so cold.

He said, “I have no place to go,”

 His voice shaking, but still quite bold.

I asked him to stay the day with me,

I had plenty and I'd gladly share.

His eyes lit up and he thanked me,

For my concern about his care.

He looked in awe at my Christmas tree,

With ornaments all around.

His eyes had a most wistful look,

As he spoke with a whispered sound.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a place,

Where the spirit of Christmas is shown.

Since I lost my wife, I have no one.

I’ve spent every Christmas alone”.

I thought since I, too, was alone,

We both could enjoy this day.

I helped him out of his tattered coat,

Elated he'd agreed to stay.

He said he couldn't stay too long,

But would eat a bite with me.

To remove the chill of the bitter cold,

He asked for a cup of tea.

As he warmed himself before the fire,

I made breakfast for us to share.

As we sat down at the table,

He asked permission to say a prayer.

He prayed, “Father, I thank You,

For the path that brought me here.

For the generosity of this woman,

Who’s so kind and so sincere.

She's invited me into her home,

A stranger she doesn’t know.

By showing her love for others.

I ask Your blessings on her to flow.

I'm thankful for her compassion,

And the warmth of her gentle heart.

This is a special time for me,

One only You, Lord, could impart.

Thank You for the gift of Jesus.

So long ago, He came this day.

Born of a virgin in a lowly manger,

He reigns as King of Kings today.

We neither have many possessions,

But have hope through Jesus, Your Son.

We anxiously await His return for us,

When our time on earth is done”.

After we had finished breakfast,

He said that he must go.

He thanked me for my kindness.

And trudged off in the snow.

Until God brought us together,

The two of us were alone.

But we'd shared the spirit of Christmas,

This day in my humble home.

I feel so blessed that I did ask,

This tattered man in from the cold.

My life will never be the same.

For an angel has touched my soul.

~Author~

Emily McAdams

©Copyright Dec 2002