The Cobbler and his Guest by Anne McCollum Boyles

The once lived an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who affectionately called him Father Martin. One Christmas Eve, as he sat alone in his little shop he said to himself " If tomorrow were the first Christmas, and if this Jesus were to be born this night, I know what I would give him!" He arose and removed two tiny shoes of the softest snowwhite leather with bright silver buckles. "I would give him these, my finest work." Than he reflected, "But I am a foolish old man, the Master has no need for my poor gifts."

He replaced the shoes, blew out his candle and went to bed. As he closed his eyes he heard a voice call, "Martin, you have wished to see me. Tomorrow I shall pass by your window. If you see me and bid me enter, I shall be your guest at your table."

Father Martin did not sleep for joy. Before dawn he rose and swept and tidied up. He used his finest linen table cloth and placed a loaf of white bread, a jar of honey and a pitcher of milk upon it. Than he sat vigily by the window.

A cold, old street sweeper passed by blowing his thin, gnarled hands. Father Martin invited him in to warm himself and have something hot to drink. The man gratefully accepted.

An hour passed and a young, miserably clothed woman, carrying a baby paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his door. He flung open the door and asked her in. He fed her and warmed her and her child and gave his finest leather shoes to the infant. Giving her two sous, he sent her on her way tearful with gratitude.

Another hour passed and many people came and went from Father Martin's that day. However the expected guest did not arrive.

"It was only a dream," he sighed. Suddenly, to his weary eyes the room flooded with light. To the cobblers astonishment there appeared before him, one by one, the street sweeper, the sick mother and child, and all whom the cobbler had aided that day. Each smiled at him and said, "Have you not seen me? Did I not sit at your table? " and than they vanished from view.

Out of the silence Father Martin heard the familiar words: "Whosoever shall receive one such in my name, receiveth me.... for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in.... Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."