The Wise Men and the Star! And China?

A very interesting piece of the Christmas story is the star that marked Jesus' birth.  Such a star should have raised the eyebrows of more people than a few magi!  A star of such significance should be marked in astronomy records.  Such a star should be recorded outside of the Bible, if it truly did exists!

Matthew 2:1-2 records that magi, wise men who saw a star in the east went to Jerusalem to find the one who was born king of the Jews.  They recognizes that the star in the sky was the one prophesied in Number 24:17 that would usher in a ruler for the Jews, one like no other before, who they recognized was also described by Micah 5:2 to be the shepherd of the people Israel.

The star the magi followed is recorded in Chinese astronomy. 

In Matthew's account, Herod had to ask the magi when the star appeared. Obviously, it wasn't in the sky anymore, and he had to confirm the time and the star they were referencing.  After talking to Herod, they had seen in the east went ahead of them to where the child, Jesus, was.  When they saw the star they were overjoyed.  So, they saw the star, recognized it fulfilled prophesy, went to find the king.  The star had disappeared, but reappeared for them to find Jesus, and they were overjoyed!



If such a star appeared to key off the magi to travel for months to see a new born king, wouldn't you think there would be records of it elsewhere in history, besides just the Bible?

Such records, appear in the Astronomy Records of the Book of the Han Dynasty.  These records place a star in the sky for 70 in 5 B.C.  Most experts place Jesus' birth at 5 to 4 B.C.  The Chinese then record another appearance of a star appearing in 4 B.C.    The time elapsed between the first star and the second star is about 13 months.  This would suggest that the magi were traveling for about one year, which fits with how long the travel for the magi would have taken if they had come from Babylon and Persia (who would have also known about the prophesies from their interactions with the Jews during the Babylonian exile).  This would also explain why Herod had all the young boys the age of two and under killed.

In conclusion, there is external evidence from Chinese astronomers to collaborate the Biblical accounts of the two appearances of the star.  The Chinese also recognized the star to be of great importance, even suggesting that signified the beginning of a new epoch, the beginning of new year, a new month, and a new day!

This information was found in Faith of our Fathers by Chan Kei Thong.   There is a link above to his book.  It contains the actual quotes from Astronomy Recrods of the Han Dynasty, which I only referenced. 

11 Million Dollar Christmas Tree in a Mostly Muslim Country

This isn't apologetics related, necessarily, but the AFP article I'm posting certainly shows what Christmas has become on a secular level.  It also shows that not all Muslims, or mostly Islamic countries, are strict Muslims.  In fact a large number of Muslims are simply cultural Muslims - as shown by this article.  If anything this article shows me, as a Christian, that at this time of year, there are many opportunities to evangelize.  This was certainly true when I lived in China for three years.  The secular Christmas decor in the People's Republic of China paved the way for many conversations that led to sharing the Gospel and the Christ in Christ's Mass.  

Enjoy the article.  Hopefully, it shocks you and makes you rethink your own focus of the season.  

by W.G. Dunlop W.g. Dunlop – Wed Dec 15, 1:05 pm ET

 

ABU DHABI (AFP) – Christmas came in extravagant fashion to the Muslim desert emirate of Abu Dhabi as a glitzy hotel unveiled a bejewelled Christmas tree valued at more than 11 million dollars on Wednesday.
It is the "most expensive Christmas tree ever," with a "value of over 11 million dollars," said Hans Olbertz, general manager of Emirates Palace hotel, at its inauguration.

The 13-metre (40-foot) faux evergreen, located in the gold leaf-bedecked rotunda of the hotel, is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and small white lights.

But the necklaces, earrings and other jewellery draped around the tree's branches are what give it a record value.
It holds a total of 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones, said Khalifa Khouri, owner of Style Gallery, which provided the jewellery.

"The tree itself is about 10,000 dollars," Olbertz said. "The jewellery has a value of over 11 million dollars -- I think 11.4, 11.5."

This will probably be an entry into the Guinness book of world records, Olbertz said, adding that Emirates Palace planned to contact the organisation about the tree which is to stay until the end of the year.

Asked if the tree might offend religious sensibilities in the United Arab Emirates, where the vast majority of the local population is Muslim, Olbertz said he did not think it would. "It's a very liberal country," he said.
The hotel has had a Christmas tree up in previous years, but this year "we said we have to do something different," and the hotel's marketing team hatched the plan, said Olbertz.

The tree is not the first extravagant offering from Emirates Palace -- a massive, dome-topped hotel sitting amid fountains and carefully manicured lawns.

The hotel, which bills itself as seven-star, in February introduced a package for a seven-day stay priced at one million dollars.

Takers of the package have a private butler and a chauffeur driven Maybach luxury car at their disposal during their stay, as well as a private jet available for trips to other countries in the region.

And in May, the hotel opened a gold vending machine, becoming the first place outside Germany to install "gold to go, the world's first gold vending machine," said Ex Oriente Lux AG, the German company behind the machine.

The 12 Days of Christmas #3

Not much more information on the 12 Days of Christmas than what I've already given, but here is what I've discovered today.  

Christmas is day 1.  The twelve days of Christmas end on January 5th, the day before a new season in the church starts - Epiphany. 

So the 12 Days of Christmas for this year are:

Dec. 25th - Christmas
Dec. 26th - First Sunday after Christmas

Dec. 27th - Stephen's Day - Remembering the first Christian martyr
Dec. 28th - Remembering the Apostle John
Dec. 29th - Holy Innocents - Remembers the slaughter of the young males by King Herod
Jan. 1st - The Holy Name - Remembering Jesus' dedication on the 8th day, his circumcision, and his naming. 

Jan. 5th - Last day of Christmas. Advent comes to a close.
Jan. 6th - A new season in the church begins, called Epiphany.  This day commemorates when the wise men found Jesus.  

So there you have it!  The 12 days of Christmas.  

For more info: Conduct some searches for church calendar or liturgical church calendar and you'll discover many websites that provide detailed information on each of these days and you'll also find that different Christian denominations observe the order of these days differently. 

12 Days of Christmas #2

I recently posted the symbolism behind the gifts for the 12 days of Christmas.  Now the plot thickens!  Terrence Maher, a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Omaha, Nebraska, wrote an article about the 12 days of Christmas in this month's issue of The Lutheran Witness.  The following is what I learned from his article:

• The Church's celebration of Christmas in the West (so not in the Eastern Orthodox churches) begins on Christmas and ends on Epiphany - January 6th.
• Epiphany is older than Christmas!
• The earliest records of celebrating Ephiphany, which means appearance or manifestation, date back to the fourth century in which the church celebrated the appearance of God, so Christ's birth! 
• By the sixth century, Dec. 25th was the day Christ's birth was celebrated.  Ephiphany focused on the arrival of the kings!  Today, on Ephiphany, the focus is still on the arrival of the kings. 
• So from Dec. 25th - Jan. 6th is the timeframe for the 12 days of Christmas, although technically, Jan. 5th is the twelvth night! 
• Terrence Maher shares in the article that many churches have special services for each of the twelve days.  This I'll have to research. 

So, I'd like to give special thanks to Terrance Maher for sharing this bit of information about the origion of the twleve days of Christmas. 

If you'd like to order a subscription to the Lutheran Witness click on the slideshow image below when the Lutheran Witness ad appears.  The slideshow also contains an ad for the song, "12 Days of Christmas", a collection of articles about Luther from the Lutheran Witness, and a book about the history of the 12 Days of Christmas.  Let me know if you purchase any of these items and what you think about them. 

What is Advent?

Many Christian churches follow a church calendar.  Many do not.  Those who follow a church calendar have a season in the life of the church called Advent.  The word advent means arrival, or coming.  So during Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, the church will focus on Christ's first arrival through the incarnation* of Jesus Christ.  Looking back to the first coming of Christ, and how the manger leads us to the cross and resurrection, we then look forward to his promised second coming! 

The following website has daily Advent devotions that will help prepare you for the Christmas celebration and to spur you on to look eagerly towards Christ's second coming: http://www.adventdevotions.net/advent.asp.

This site is sponsored by the Lutheran Hour Ministries, and the following is their explanation of Advent:

The Church divides the year into different seasons that emphasize the life of Christ and the life of the Church. Beginning on Sunday, November 28, we will enter the season of the Church year called Advent. Advent is a four-week season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, on December 25and continuing to Epiphany January 6th 2011.

The focus of Advent is two-fold. On the one hand, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world as both God and man so that our sins might be forgiven. On the other hand, we anticipate the day when Jesus will return to Earth and bring an end to this world. Those will be scary days, but we can look forward to the end of the world with hope because through faith in Jesus, the end of this world will mean the beginning of a new life with Christ for eternity.

Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit our failures to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf. Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, we repent and believe that when He returns, He will give us eternal life.

The 12 Days of Christmas

I just received this from our campus pastor.  I never knew this before about the 12 days of Christmas, but finally, the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas" has meaning to me!  Maybe if this is new to you too - you'll also find meaning in the 12 Days of Christmas whenever you hear it throughout the holiday season. 

The 12 Days of Christmas.  In the 16th century, England prohibited any Christian teaching other than that of the official state religion teachings.  Therefore, people developed creative ways to teach their children some of these "other" aspects of Christianity.  My true love refers to the Lord, our only love Who is always true.

On the (first...) day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

                (1st) ...a partridge in a pear tree. 

A partridge is a bird which will die to defend their young.  The pear tree represents the Cross.  John 10:14‑15.

(2nd)... two turtle doves. 

Two doves remind us of Joseph and Mary, who offered these in the temple when Jesus was 40 days old.  Luke 2:22, 24.

(3rd)... three French hens. 

In the 16th century, French hens were so expensive that only kings could afford them ‑‑ representing the gold, frankincense, and myrrh offered to Jesus at his birth.  Matthew 2:10‑11.

(4th) ... four calling birds.

Four calling birds represent the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, calling out the salvation message. John 20:30‑31.

(5th)... five golden rings.

Five golden rings represent the first 5 books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,

Numbers, Deuteronomy) ‑‑ these were to the Jews more valuable than gold.  Deut. 34:10, 12.

(6th)... six geese a‑laying. 

Six geese remind us of the 6 days of creation; eggs symbolize new life.  Genesis 1:1, 31.

(7th)... seven swans a‑swimming. 

Seven swans represent the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit in which we are immersed as Christians, changing us from "ugly ducklings" into grace‑filled children of God.  Romans 12:6‑8.

(8th)... eight maids a‑milking.  Eight maids represent the 8 unique teachings of Jesus called the Beatitudes, nurturing us in our Christian growth.  Matthew 5:3‑12.

(9th)... nine ladies dancing.  Nine ladies remind us of the 9 fruits of the Spirit.  Such fruit will cause us to dance with joy.  Galatians 5:22‑23.

(10th)... ten lords a‑leaping.  Ten lords represent the 10 Commandments.  Exodus 20:3‑17.

(11th)... eleven pipers piping.  Eleven pipers represent the 11 disciples who remained faithful to Jesus ‑‑ they piped the Gospel for all to hear.  Mark 3:16‑19.

(12th)...twelve drummers drumming.  Twelve drummers represent the 12 vital truths as proclaimed in the Apostles' Creed (1‑Creator, 2‑Jesus is God's Son, 3‑virgin birth, 4‑suffered under Pontius Pilate & crucified, 5‑descended & rose, 6‑right hand of the Father & will judge living and dead, 7‑Holy Spirit, 8‑Christian church, 9‑Communion of Saints, 10‑forgiveness of sins, 11‑resurrection of the body, 12‑life everlasting!)