The Visitor Jesus’ birth is a reminder not to judge people by appearances. Several people made that mistake in this story! It was Christmas Eve and Ivan the Good, Tsar of Russia, stroked his chin. “I wonder how the poor people of my great country spend Christmas,” he said, glaring at his rich courtiers. “Oh, very well I’m sure, your Highness,” “Oh yes – you don’t want to be concerning yourself about them, my Lord.” “Certainly not, your majesty – it could be dangerous!” “Out of my way,” snapped the Tsar. Hurrying to his room, he found the oldest, dirtiest clothes he could get. After putting them on he rubbed his face and hands with dirt, and set off. Some hours later this “beggar” was knocking at the door of a small house in a village. A man answered the knock. “Sir,” said the disguised Tsar, “could you possibly let me stay with you for the night? I promise I will pay you later.” “You? Pay me later! A likely story. Be off with you!” So the Tsar went on his way round the poor village. Some people just told him to clear off, others made all sorts of excuses, but nobody was prepared to give him a meal, or let him stay the night with them. Finally the Tsar reached the poorest, scruffiest looking house in the entire village. He raised his hand to knock at the door when it opened, creaking on ancient, unoiled hinges. “Come in, come in!” invited the tired looking man who had opened the door. “I’ve seen you going round the village and I noticed how everybody turned you away. Well, you’re very welcome here, but I must warn you about certain things.” “Thank you for the invitation sir,” answered Ivan, “but please…” The tired man went on, “Well, I’ve a very sick wife and six children. She is too ill to cook and I haven’t time so all we have to eat is a loaf of bread – but you’re welcome to share. There again, with so many bodies in the house we have no beds to spare but if you’re happy to, you can sleep on straw on the floor like I do.” “You are most kind,” said Ivan. “I’m very grateful for whatever you can let me have – and I will certainly repay you later.” “Oh, don’t give that a thought,” went on the old man, “come in and make yourself as comfortable as possible.” So Ivan spent Christmas Eve in the poor man’s house. Next morning he noticed that there were no Christmas presents for anybody, but the man was enormously kind to his children, and his sick wife tried desperately to be cheerful even though she was in pain. When it was time to go the Tsar shook the man’s hand firmly. “Thank you again for your kindness,” he said. “I’ll be back to pay you shortly.” “Oh, I’ve told you not to worry about that. I’m sure you’re poorer than we are – here, look – take a bit of bread with you to help you on your way.”
With a nod and a smile Ivan left. Three hours later the poor man was busy cleaning up the house as best he could when there was a thunderous knock on the door. Opening it nervously he was astonished to see the “beggar” standing there again – but dressed magnificently in the robes of a king! Several people stood in a line behind this obviously important person. “My friend, I’ve come to repay your kindness,” smiled Ivan. The man just stood there with his mouth open. “First, let me introduce myself properly,” went on Ivan. “I am the Tsar of all Russia. Now, this person here is a doctor who has come to make your wife better; these people behind him have brought you some food and fuel and, at the end there is somebody who has a Christmas present for everybody.” “But…” interrupted the man. “Oh, I haven’t finished,” continued Ivan. “Tomorrow, when the holiday is over, I want you to come to the palace at 10 o’clock. I could do with an honest, kind man working for me. A job will be waiting for you.” Needless to say it was the best Christmas the poor man and his family had ever had! A prayer Loving God, Help us to treat everyone in a way which we would like them to treat us. Help us to remember that one of the great pleasures of Christmas is giving as well as receiving. Help us to be the sort of person others would like to know. Amen.
Sometimes things are not what they seem! What can you see in this picture?
