The Buzz Around the Coffee Machine

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

Betty The Angel: “No, so what’s the scoop?”

Larry the Angel: “Well rumor has it, Jesus 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."

Betty The Angel: “yea right.”

Larry the Angel: “No really it’s true. , and Jesus will be raised by a common carpenter and his wife” and for the next almost 30 years Jesus will work as a carpenter, in rural Israel.

Betty The Angel: “ Good one Larry, and so being a carpenter.. he will then build his father’skingdom.” LOL

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 kingdommovement.”

Betty The Angel: “You mean like a presidential cabinet of sorts? Made up I imagine of priests and rabbis? Maybe a few influential politicians, and some sort of minister of defense would seemreasonable.

Larry the Angel: “No, .. they are mostly fishermen.”

Betty The Angel: “I see.. fishermen… So far we have Jesus born in a barn in obscurity except toshepherds, his critical years of development to be the King and Savior are spent as a carpenter insteadof seminary? Yes, yes.. this makes ‘boat loads’ of sense…. NOT!” LOL

Larry the Angel: “I know, I know.. but that’s not all. Next Jesus takes on the established religiouscommunity. He will challenge, and mock their rules and their motives.. which of course flys like apolitically incorrect Lead Balloon.“

Betty The Angel: “Well if this is true, then what else could they expect. Now who is it you said youheard this all from? You were not talking to Cliffy from the mail room again were you? I know this isHeaven, but Cliff is full of it.”

Larry the Angel: “No Betty it wasn’t Cliff, it was from a very reliable source. Now be quiet for a minuteand 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, mocking him, and is thenbeaten and whipped to the point of death, then to a jeering crowd he is lead up to a hill where he isultimately crucified as a common criminal while he is rejected by the people he came to save… JUSTTHE WAY HE PLANNED IT ALL ALONG.”

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

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

Larry the Angel: “That’s it Betty, believe me or not.. that is the God’s honest truth (no pun intended).” “Ok, now you can speak.”

Betty The Angel: I don’t know who put you up to this.. but I would 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 have anymore 'Revelations’ .. get it in writing on God’s very own BLESSED executive stationary!! Next time.. you should consider your sources before swallowing it all hook line and sinker. You are just soooo gullable.”

[Betty then walks back to work leaving Larry looking exasperated]