Edwin Markham tells a story about a cobbler who loved the Lord. One night he dreamed that Christ would come into his shop on Christmas Day. He got excited about the visit and began to make his shop presentable. He decorated the walls, swept the floor and placed a chair for the welcomed visitor. He could hardly sleep in expectation of the morning of Christmas Day. He opened up the shop early and then waited.
First, a poor beggar came in. The cobbler noticed that the poor man had shoes with holes in them, so he gave him a pair of shoes he hoped to sell to someone who needed a Christmas gift. But he felt good about helping the beggar.
Then at noon someone rang the bell. An old woman stood there barely having strength to open the door. The cobbler recognized she was hungry so he shared his lunch with her. She felt much better, thanked him and was on her way.
By this time the cobbler was wondering when Jesus would come. Before long a crying child came and stood in front of the window of the shop. The cobbler wanted to find out what was wrong and invited the little fellow in. The child was homeless, lonely and desperate. The cobbler knew he could take the child home and provide a nice Christmas evening for him. But he wanted to wait for Jesus to come. A doubtful thought crept into his mind: “Is Jesus really coming today?”
It was dark outside and the food was ready at home. So the cobbler walked home with the boy. After introducing the child to his wife, the cobbler went into his room and complained to God: “Why is it Lord that your feet delay? Have you forgotten?” Jesus answered his question: “Lift up your heart for I kept my word. Three times I came to your door, as beggar, a woman and a child. I was pleased to know you had room for me.”
We will please the Lord, when we make room for him by loving others. Make room for the Prince of Peace!
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200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.