The Village Named Bethlehem (Chapter One)(Gordon B. Robey) Chapter ONE

The trouble with people today, is that they don’t have time to think of others, but only of themselves.

It was rush hour, the end of the working day for the thousands of workers in the city who only wanted to get to their homes as quickly as possible. They stood in their hundreds, waiting for the lights to change to green. The ones at the front were being pushed dangerously close to the road.

Suddenly there was a scream, “I’m falling, I can’t keep my balance”. But only the friends of the panic stricken young woman heard her cries, as she was pushed forward and into the road.

She was bent almost double, trying to get back onto the sidewalk, when the passenger vehicle struck her.

The impact threw her into the air like a rag doll. She spun over and over landing in front of the traffic coming from the other direction. The Jeepney driver leapt from his cab into the road, as did other drivers, as now all traffic had stopped. But when they got to the young woman, they could see that she was already dead.

Police arrived to deal with the halt in the traffic. It was only then that they realized there had been an accident. Someone had already phoned for an ambulance. The police held back the crowd, clearing the way as it came to a halt close to the body. Paramedics rushed to the bundle. One of them said, “There’s no rush she’s already dead”.

The body was lifted onto a stretcher and put into the ambulance, which quickly reversed, turned and sped away.

The police took statements from those who had witnessed the accident. Jill and Sally, who were close friends of the dead girl, told them that her name was Mary. “We had just finished work, Mary was pushed into the road, she didn’t have a chance”.

Both girls were sobbing and clinging to each other in their grief for their best friend.

Mary looked around, stunned by the beauty of the place. Flowers of all colors met her eyes. And green grass as far as her eyes could see. Rolling hills and valleys she saw, and soft music filled the air.

“What place is this?” She asked herself. “I’ve never been here before”. “Hello” said a voice. Mary turned her head, seeing a young woman coming towards her. “Have you just arrived?" she asked.

“Yes I have” Mary said. “But I have no idea where I am”, She said, looking down at the long white gown that she was wearing, in surprise. “This is Heaven” The young woman said. “I’m sorry to say this so bluntly, but you are dead, and now you are a Spirit”. She smiled and continued, “My name is Jane, come along with me and I’ll tell you about this place”. She took Mary’s hand as they walked across the soft grass. Mary glanced at the large white building on a distant hill. “Oh”, Jane said, “You have noticed it already, that’s Gods palace, he lives there with his son Jesus”.

The palace was very big, and covered a lot of ground. It was even bigger inside were a big man sat at a desk. He had a mass of white hair covering his large head. He suddenly slammed shut the book he had been writing in, and sat back in his large throne with a sigh.

His big blue eyes watched the one who came towards him, across the expanse of his throne room. It was his son Jesus.

“Greetings Father” Jesus said to God. “What is it now my son? You always come for something when I am busy,” God said in a harsh voice. But behind all his thick beard and mustache, he was smiling with his love for his son, and would grant him anything he asked.

“Father” Jesus said. “I would like to return to the world where I was born. I promised them that I would return someday”. God looked at his son and smiled, “If you wish to return my son, then it’s up to you. After all, that Universe is yours to do as you wish”. Jesus thanked his father and left the throne room. Outside he called Peter, the most trusted of his long ago followers, and told him what it was he was about to do.

“I remember you saying that you would return someday, Lord. Would it be better if you took someone with you as a companion? The ways of that place have changed over the centuries, Lord”.

Jesus looked at Peter, knowing that he spoke wisely. “You are right Peter. I shall take the last Spirit to arrive, as my helper and companion. Send for the one who I will take with me”. And so Peter sent an Angel to find the last Spirit, and summon it to come before the Lord Jesus.

Mary, who was still with her companion, was stopped by an Angel who appeared before them. “The lord Jesus wants to see you immediately” He said with a slight bow.

Jane looked at Mary all excited, “You’ve been chosen by the lord for something. Go quickly, don’t keep him waiting”.

Arriving as she’d been told, Mary stood before Jesus. “You shall return with me to the land you were born, before you came here”.

Mary looked at Jesus in wonder. “Are you really Jesus Christ? If you are, then I’ve always wanted to meet you” She said bowing to him.
“Stand at my side, you can tell me later” Jesus said with a smile.


Continued in Chapter Two...

(Note that this story is continued in additional chapters published on Storystar in later installments. Please look for them in the link below to other stories by this author. Thank you.)

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