GET OUT OF TOWN! A Christmas Story

Often the coffee maker in the workplace is the common place for socializing. ​While pouring a cup of caffeinated fuel there is talk about the big football game on Sunday, sharing vacation plans, some are brave enough to discuss politics and/or religion and have lived to tell the tale. 

In the same way, the coffee maker at church is a place where friends catch up on each other's lives while a few may feel compelled to share the height and depths of weighty 'spiritual' matters.

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So imagine the buzz around the coffee maker in HEAVEN.. a little over 2000 years ago when God's plan for ‘saving’ mankind was revealed? 

SETTING:  It was just another day at the 'office' when Larry and Betty meet at 'Heaven's Coffee Maker' for their morning cup of Joe.

Larry the Angel: "Hey Betty, did you hear the latest about the plan the boss has for saving the world?"

​Betty The Angel:  "No, so what's up?"

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Larry the Angel: "Well rumor has it, Jesus Christ will come to earth as a child born of a virgin in a barn and sleep in a feeding trough for animals.  His birth will not be proclaimed to the world, but to... get this... shepherds." And a few smart guys from the east.

Betty The Angel:  "Shepherds? .. right." 

Larry the Angel: "No it's true, and Jesus will be raised by a common carpenter and his wife" for the next almost 30 years in rural Israel.

Betty The Angel:  " Good one Larry, and so being a carpenter Jesus will build his father's kingdom." LOL. carpenter... build it... Get it?

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Larry the Angel: "I know this sounds bizarre, but I heard it all from a very reliable source. And that's not all.  Next, Jesus will choose 12 men to assist him as key members of his kingdom movement."

Betty The Angel:  "You mean like a presidential cabinet of sorts?  Made up of priests, rabbis, maybe a few influential politicians, and some sort of minister of defense would seem reasonable.

Larry the Angel: "No, .. they are mostly fishermen."
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Betty The Angel:  "I see. fishermen... So far we have Jesus born in a barn in obscurity except to shepherds, and his critical years of development to be the King and Savior are spent as a carpenter instead of a seminary?  

Larry the Angel:  "I know, I know....but that's not all.  Next, Jesus will take on the established religious community.  He will challenge, and mock their pious rules and motives, which of course flies like a politically incorrect Lead Balloon."

Betty The Angel:  "Well if this is true, then what else could they expect.  Now, who is it you said you heard this all from? Were you not talking to Cliffy from the mail room again?  I know this is Heaven, but Cliff is full of it, and by it I do not mean the Spirit"

Larry the Angel:  "No Betty it wasn't Cliff, it was from a very reliable source.  Now be quiet for a minute and let me finish.. then you can let your jaw drop to the floor... because there is more."

Betty The Angel:  [ Betty motions that she is zipping her lip and smiles.. in silence ]

Larry the Angel:  "All of this leads to a final week when the salvation message is realized.  Jesus in this unconventional plan lulls the leaders of the day into .. falsely arresting him, and mocking him, he is beaten and whipped to the point of death. Then to a jeering crowd, he is led up to a hill where he is crucified as a common criminal while being rejected by the people he came to save... JUST THE WAY HE PLANNED IT."

​Larry the Angel:  Of course, Jesus will not stay dead.  He will rise from the dead, but not everyone will witness this. So believing in Jesus and accepting his free gift of salvation will be a matter of choice and will require personal faith in things not seen.

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Betty The Angel:  [still silent, Betty stands with her arms crossed]

Larry the Angel:  "That's it Betty, believe me, or not.. that is God's honest truth (no pun intended)." <pause>  "Ok, now you can speak."

Betty The Angel:  I don't know who put you up to this.. but I would NOT tell these wild tales to anyone else... This is all CRAZY TALK.. and I have better things to do with my time.  Next time you learn any more 'Revelations' .. get it in writing on God's very own BLESSED executive stationery!  Next time you should consider your sources before swallowing it all hook line and sinker.  

Betty walks away shaking her head. Larry refills his coffee cup and heads back to work perplexed why Betty did not believe him.
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Ok, it may not have played out like this, but the story of Jesus life from the virgin birth that first Christmas and his 30 years on Earth culminating with his resurrection from the grave is God's beautifully unexpected story of salvation.

So next time at work when you are getting your coffee refill ponder the great news of God's salvation plan that began that first Christmas. 

ps - Share the Good News!

Jeff ( a lot lower than the angels) Larson

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