The girls continued toward Manger Square.  They stopped every once in a while to shop in stores selling wares celebrating Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.  They paid for their items in shekels which is the established currency of Palestine. At one point, Bea found a unique looking stone on the ground.  It was like marble, and it was shiny.  She put it in her pocket so she would always remember her trip to Bethlehem.  Bea walked over to Prudy and affectionately gave her a hug.

“I miss your hugs, Bea,” Prudy said. “You always give them so freely.  I just love that about you.”  Prudy looked up at her sister.  Bea was so tall now.  But she’d always see her as the little sister, no matter how big she got.

When they finally got to the church of the Nativity, they were each given a map of the church so they could explore.

“This is the place where Jesus was born,” said the English speaking guide.   “The church was built after Jesus’ death in 4 BC over the cave where the birth took place. The mosaic tile floor was put in three hundred years later. Around eight hundred years after that, the Crusaders of Europe came to conquer the Holy Land.  They had the beautiful illustrations painted on the walls.”

“Wow!  This place is old!”

“Yes it is,” replied Prudy

Afternoon moved into evening and more tourists filed into the church.  The girls waited to go down to see Jesus’ birth place until later so that they would not have to fight the crowds of people.  They walked around the church several times.  They each lit a candle and prayed their own thoughts.

“What did you pray for, Prudy?” asked Purity.

“I prayed that our family would find a way to get some peace,” said Prudy. “You know that Christmas song with these words… ‘His law is love and His gospel is peace,’ I always wonder what someone like Jesus would suggest for our situation.”

“Yeah, I wish I knew that too!” said Purity.  She hugged her oldest sister tightly.  They found an empty pew in the sanctuary.  They sat.  Bea joined them shortly after and they sat there, listening to Christmas music and holding each other long into the evening.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQqPy6qPA0#

Around nine o’clock there was a lull in the crowd, so the girls finally made their way down into the Grotto of the Nativity.  The exact spot where Jesus laid was enshrined as a starburst of pure gold on the floor.  People were kneeling down to kiss this place.  Purity, Prudence and Bea got in line to touch the holy spot.

“Jesus was more important than I even realized.  Just goes to show you one person can make a HUGE difference in this world!”  Said Bea.

“Yes they can, ” said Prudy.

It was Purity’s turn to kneel to the spot of the divine birth.  As she bent down, she bumped her head on the mantle.

“Ugh!” she said

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” asked Grandma Cecily.  Purity opened her eyes.  She did not realize they had been closed.  She was in the church back home in the U.S. with her Grandma Cecily and Bea.

Bethlehem was gone, the Grotto of the Nativity was gone and Prudy was gone.

“Yes, I’m alright.” The minister helped her onto a nearby pew.  He made sure she had some water to drink.   Then, the service began once again.

Had she dreamed it? Purity was not sure.  Then she looked over at her sister.  Bea had pulled the polished stone out of her pocket that she had found in Manger Square.  “It wasn’t a dream!” Bea mouthed to her sister as the music to the last hymn of the evening began.

No, it was not a dream.  They had gone to Bethlehem with Prudy. She was still taking them on adventures. She had shown them the courage of a very young woman.  She had shown them how one person could make a huge difference in the world. She had shown them that, despite the hate that exists in this world, that fighting is not the answer to the world’s problems.  And she had shown them the wisdom that each of the girls already carried with them.  They were, in fact, three wise women. Purity looked over at Bea.  Bea was smiling.  Purity smiled too.  Peace filled her heart.  Peace and abundant love overflowed within her.  She looked up at a nearby picture of Jesus.

“This must be what you were trying to tell us,” she whispered. “Your law is love and Your gospel is peace.”

Purity remembered the full moon that was to grace the sky tonight.  She knew Prudy would be looking at it too.  And Purity was sure that she would continue to hold the memory of her sweet sister in her heart. As they walked out of the church, Bea put her arm around Purity.

“Look, the moon is full! exclaimed Bea. “What an amazing sight!  Just like the star on that magical night, so very long ago.”

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eUthEE_gR_w#