Where is the Saviour?

In one Russian provincial town, so fair,
Lived a cobbler, a kind-hearted man,
He raised his grandchild, with love and care,
Though wealth was scarce, they did what they can.

On Christmas Eve, the boy fell asleep,
And a vision of Christ came to greet him near.
He lay in his nightshirt, his heart in a leap,
For the words that he heard brought him joy and cheer.

'Prepare yourself, child, for tomorrow I’ll come,
Your grandfather will have breakfast laid out.
Enjoy your meal, and then wait for my sum,
For with you, my dear, I’ll surely be about.'

The boy woke up, his shirt soaked with tears,
Happy and grateful, for Christ he adored.
In the morning, a porridge filled with good cheer,
Though simple and plain, it his hunger restored.

After breakfast shared, he rushed to the pane,
And saw at the gate a lad standing there,
Barely shod, with fingers frozen in pain,
Gently stroking a cat, unaware of his care.

Outside, the frost bit, the winter winds blew,
The boy called out, 'Come here, don’t delay!
You’ll warm by our hearth, we’ve space for you too,
It’s Christmas! Let’s share in the joy of the day!'

The lad stepped inside, poorly shod,
'Sit by the fire, no need to feel shy.
A loaf waits for you, so come, take your shot,
Join us at the table, and let your heart fly!'

Then to his granddad, the boy turned with a plea,
'Grandpa, I have warm boots, fresh from the store.
If I could just share them, what joy it would be,
While in these old ones, I’d tread on once more.'

'Repair these for me, they still have some life,
But let the new ones warm this lad’s little feet.
See the sorrow in his eyes, full of suffering,
Let’s bring him some joy, it would make our hearts sweet.'

The grandfather nodded, his heart full of grace,
They clothed the young boy, and nourished him well.
With a smile of thanks, he soon left the place,
And the cobbler and the boy bid him farewell.

The boy by the window stays and sadly says:
'Where is the Saviour? Is he on his way?
On the street, no one stirs, the sun fades away,
Half the day gone, and still, Christ does not stay.'

Then mother with child comes, dressed thinly in plight,
Cradling her baby, their faces pale white.
In the cold they are shivering, barely a wrap,
The grandson exclaims, 'Come in! Take a nap!'

'Oh, grandfather, let them find warmth in our home,
We have a warm blanket for baby, don’t leave them to roam.
That poor lady's shivering, grant her some grace,
How my heart aches to see such a face!'

They clothed them, they warmed them, they offered some bread,
The woman thanked them, with blessings she fled.
They washed up the dishes, with gratitude glowed,
And their praises to God like a sweet river flowed.

Evening approached, the light dimmed and waned,
Yet still to their hearts, the Christ had not gained.
Then a beggar appeared, tapping soft at their gate,
Asking for shelter - it was Christmas, so late.

They welcomed him in, for the night had grown cold,
No place for the elder to wander, to fold.
In the dark of the city, where dangers abound,
Better inside than where thugs lurked around.

The grandson spoke up, 'Let him stay for the night,
This poor weary old man, let’s show him some light.
A fierce wind is blowing, our hearts will be blessed,
With kindness and mercy, we’ll give him our rest.'

'Sleep on the stove, dear grandad, I’ll take the chest,'
And the old man lay down, feeling safe and at rest.
But the boy still wondered, 'Will Jesus come tonight?
Has He forgotten His promise, or lost in the night?'

'Perhaps He’s too busy, with so much to do,
I only wished to share Christmas with You.'
As he dreamt up excuses, his eyelids grew heavy,
Soon into slumber, his breathing grew steady.

Then in dreams, the Saviour appeared with a smile,
The boy, filled with wonder, came close for a while.
'Why didn’t You come? I’ve been waiting all day,
I longed for Your presence, please tell me, I pray.'

'I came to you often, more times than you know,
With your grandfather’s kindness, My love you did show.
You welcomed Me thrice, in your gentle embrace,
When you warmed the cold, you gave Me a place.'

'When you gave shoes to the child, soft and bright,
And you sheltered the mother, who shivered at night,
When you shared with the beggar your comfort and care,
In those moments, dear boy, you welcomed Me there.'

All this for Me, you’ve done with pure grace,
And now I am with you, time cannot erase,
You may believe it, have faith, and know true,
For I shall never forsake or abandon you.

In the morning light, the boy awoke,
And asked his grandad, with a gentle stroke,
'Where's the old man? My bed lies bare,
I thought he'd sleep until the noon's bright glare.

'I didn't see in him the Christ we know,
His kindness felt, yet where did he go?
My boots of felt are standing right here,
And the blanket too, so warm and dear.'

In that home, joy’s essence filled every room,
The spirit of Christmas dispelled all the gloom,
Such wonders are rare, a marvel to see,
All voices in chorus, praising the Deity!
For now with Jesus, together we’ll stay,
For all of eternity, come what may.