Can You Imagine??

Can you imagine what it was like when Jesus was born?  I was sitting at Coffee Break this morning and my mind starting to wonder, as it always does at any givin moment.  Someone mentioned gossiping and my mind took off.  I started thinking of all the times I've been caught gossiping and how hard I try not to do it.  And then a silly little thought came acrossed my mind.  What did the ladies in Mary and Joseph's town say about them or even the ladies of Bethlehem.  Cause you know when ladies get together....well you know the rest.  So this morning I came up with a little story.  It's based back in the day with a modern twist.  It's been in my brain all day and I have to get it out.  Tell me what you think.

     "Did you hear that there was a baby born in a stable about...ohhh a couple of days ago?" Martha brought up at the ladies once a week get together. 
     Martha always knows what is going on in our little town of Bethlehem.  You never want to open your mouth around Martha, cause if you do....well lets just say she doesn't know how to CLOSE her's. All the ladies sat together on a Saturday afternoon, making food and were preparing for Sunday's day of rest, couldn't help but to fall into the topic that Martha had brought up.
    "Yes, I did hear about that.  That poor dear.  I could never have imagined giving birth in a stable.  The smell alone would drive me mad.  But to add all the animals to the mix and I would have been long gone.  I don't know how she put up with it."  added Easter.
     "Yes, she was very brave.  I couldn't imagine what she was going through.  You know maybe we should bring her something.  I wonder if she has any food or warm blankets  What do you think Rachel?" said Ruth.  Ohh Ruth.  She was always thinking of others.  I loved the moment I met her.  I was new to town and she was the first one to befriend me.  It's like she just knew that I was scared to be here.  But Ruth, she helped me through it and made sure I was comfortable.  If it wasn't for her, I'd still be...well I don't know where I would be.
   "I think that's a wonderful idea Ruth,"  I replied,  "Do you know what her name is....Starts with a M right??...Ma something...."
    "Mary.  I think it was Mary."  said Ruth.
    "Yes, it is Mary.  What a beautiful name." I said.
    "I don't know about that girl,"  added Martha, "I heard somethings about her.  I don't know, something just doesn't sit right with me.
    She was baiting us I just knew it.  But giving it was Martha, a person everyone was scared for cause she knew things about everyone, I didn't say anything.  I just let her comment sit in the air, as did everyone else.  We just sat there, working on our meals, waiting for her to continue with her "insight" into Mary. 
     After what seemed to be an eternity, Ester couldn't handle it any longer, finally asked the question Martha was waiting for.  "Well Martha, What Did you hear?"
     "Well, I probably shouldn't say anything, but alittle birdy told me something...it really isn't my place to say...." Martha drug on and on.
     "Out with it Martha."  Ester demanded.
     "Okay, okay since you guys really want to know and you guys are my best friends and all, I'll tell you.  I heard that she wasn't as good as some people would say she is."
     Ruth not liking the way the "information" was going, I could just see it.  She was going to try to stand up for this women they'd never even met, wasn't she?  Oh no Ruth, please don't, your going to ruin everything.  "Well I'm sure non of us are, right Martha?"  Ruth said it.  She said what some of us were thinking but were too afraid to say.  She is going to ruin it for us!
     "Oh I'm not talking about small things.  I hear that she was expecting before she even married this Joseph fella.  And on top of that it's not even Joseph.  Can you imagine??"  Martha said with a knowing look.
      "Are you sure about that Martha.  I talked to some of the Shepard's that were out there that night and they said that she was a very warm, loving woman.  I think we need to stop talking about this now."  Ruth said looking right into my eyes.  She wanted me to say something, to stand up with her.  But I couldn't speak.  I was afraid of Martha and I had just started to become somebody in our community.  I can't lose that now just cause Ruth didn't agree with what Martha was saying.  It's not like Martha was hurting anyone.  Everyone knows she just likes to talk.  So I just sat there....waiting for someone else to say something.
     "Oh Ruth, I'm only saying what I heard.  And it landed in my ears from a VERY reliable source.  Besides, I don't think we should help her at all.  She got herself into this mess and I think she needs to get herself out of this mess.  I for one am not going to lend a hand at all."  Martha said,  "Mark my words ladies, she is going to bring trouble to our little community.  And that boy of hers, well lets just say that I will not be letting my children play with him.  If that is how she was raised, you can only imagine what kind of person she's going to raise.  There's no family values anymore."
    "Well, I agree with you on the family values. It's lost these days.  I couldn't believe the other day when the family down the street was working on Sunday.  I could have died.  I marched right up to that house and laid into her good.  I don't think they will ever cross the line with that again."  Ester voiced.
     "What on earth could they possible be doing on Sunday?"  Martha wondered.
     "Oh they were outside running around, playing tag or something.  Don't they know they are supposed to be inside worshiping the Lord?  Not running around like crazy people."  Ester said.
     "I can't believe you ladies,"   Ruth said with anger in her voice.  "Here you sit and talk about what everyone is doing and yet you guys don't see what your doing.  Who do you think you are to be sitting there and tell everyone else they are wrong for what they did or are doing?  Don't we all Worship the same God?  I for one am not going to stand for this anymore...I'm going to leave and help that girl.  If she is good enough for the Wise men to go and visit her, then she's good enough for me.  Everyone has made their mistakes and I am not going to judge them for it.  If you'll excuse me ladies.  I have somewhere more important to be.  Rachel?"
    What do I do?  If I go with Ruth, I could be shunned.  If I stay here I would lose the only friend I've really had.  What do I do? 

     How many of you judged someone you've never met or seen?  How many of you were the one gossiping about people?  And how many of you were afraid to stand up for yourself or even a friend?  I can't tell you how many times I've been in each and every situation these 4 women have been in.  And I can't tell you how many times I have been ashamed about the way I acted or what I've said.  My prayer as of late has been for others to see the woman I am now, not the girl I used to be.  And even though I am not even close to being perfect, I hope people see that I'm not trying to be better then them, but to be the best me I can be.  Almost every days I fail.  This Christmas I'm going to remember the reason God gave us Jesus. He sent us a Savior for forgiveness, for love, and well just because He could.  Merry Christmas Everyone!