My Dear Friends,

“The Nazareth Gossip”

It’s such a shame.  They seemed a lovely couple, so well matched.  But between you and me, something must have gone very wrong.  To put it delicately, that belly was far too big, far too soon!  Joseph, bless him (such a nice boy, but simple; works with his hands you know); well he was ready to break everything off, and who would have blamed him?  Ridiculous stories of angels and dreams!  They can say what they like, but there was something funny going on somewhere - but who with?  She seemed such a nice girl too.  It’s her Mum and Dad I feel sorry for.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.” Isaiah 7:14

And then that dreadful census - talk about bad timing!  A week’s journey it is from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  And her in that condition!  No wonder she was ready to drop when she got there.  That poor lad must have been frantic (they do say it’s not his you know).  What a God-forsaken place to have a baby.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel” Micah 5:2

Now, I know everyone loves a baby - but a stable, really, it’s no place to receive guests, is it?  And didn’t they think it might be something of an imposition?  Strangers, just turning up like that?  I’ve never been one for foreigners as you know, they’re not like us are they?  Very queer!

“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.”  Psalm 72:10-11

It’s just nice to have them safe back home in Nazareth.  I do hope everything settles down.  A nice quiet life, that’s what they need now.  Such a terrible beginning.  From what I hear they were lucky to survive that trip to Bethlehem - the slaughter of all those tiny children.  I tell you, it’s a terrible, evil, wicked world.

“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children.”  Jeremiah 31:15

You know, I’m as religious as the next man, but it makes you wonder why the Almighty doesn’t do something about it.  In fact, if I’m honest with you, it makes me wonder if there’s a God at all.  How about you?

Jeff Cuttell

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