Where did Star of Bethlaham Go?

Posted on January 15, 2021 | Leave a comment

In ancient time, travelers didn’t have GPS.  Most travelers navigated a journey by following stars. Travelers and astronomers knew the night sky. Based on their observations over decades, astronomers knew that star constellations and, what we now know as, planets moved in a prescribed pattern over a year’s time. They trusted this annual rotation of heavenly bodies. You can imagine how surprised these same astronomers were to see a new phenomenon in the night sky.  They didn’t know how to describe it, except to call it a “star.”

Today, a goodly number of Bible scholars and secular astronomers believe that the Star of Bethlehem was an alignment of stars and planets in the Leo constellation. They include the star Regulus (king) in Leo and four plants. Those planets were Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system and the planets Mars, Mercury, and Venus.

Many astronomers and wise men (Magi) in ancient Near Eastern countries lived in Persia. As they talked with one another about the new star that appeared in the sky, they concluded that it must herald the birth of a king. Perhaps, they remembered Balaam’s oracle regarding the Israelites: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.  A star shall come out of Jacob; and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17 NIV). Several of the wise men determined to follow the star to see this new-born king. Of course, they carried presents for the baby.

Following the star, the wise men arrived in Jerusalem and went to King Herod’s court. They expected that a newborn king would be birthed in a palace, amid a court. The Magi asked King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2 NIV). King Herod was flabbergasted. He didn’t see a new star in the night sky. His own wise men didn’t tell him about one. Most assuredly, King Herod knew nothing about a newborn king. When King Herod learned that the future king would be born in Bethlehem, he directed the wise men to continue following the star. Once the wise men learned exactly where this newborn king was, they were to report back to him, ostensibly, so he too could go and worship the king.

Following the star, the wise men came to a humble house in Bethlehem where Joseph, Mary, and the young child lived. Although we celebrate Epiphany 13 days after the feast day for Jesus’ birth, best evidence indicates that the wise men didn’t arrive in Bethlehem for a year, possibly, even two years, after Jesus’ birth. The star that led the wise men to the home where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived, wasn’t spectacularly bright. The Bible doesn’t tell us that Joseph and Mary ever saw a large star over their home. Likewise, there isn’t Bible documentation that King Herod saw the star.

The Bible doesn’t identify, what happened to the star. Did it disappear or stop moving when the wise men reached the home of Jesus? If the star was an alignment of planets and Regulus, it would have continued to move westward in the night sky. Yet, the wise men didn’t continue to follow the star westward. They returned to Persia without going back to Jerusalem and reporting to King Herod.

The star’s presence was a heavenly announcement that God’s son was born to humankind; and this son would save both Jew and Gentile from sins. As stars rule the night sky, Jesus Christ rules the powers of darkness on earth.

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Epiphany Scripture

Posted on January 12, 2021 | Leave a comment

Epistle Reading – Ephesians 3:2-12 NIV: Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 2:1-12 NIV: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

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What is Epiphany Season

Posted on January 6, 2021 | Leave a comment

Although some churches celebrate Epiphany on the Sunday nearest January 6, Epiphany Day occurs on January 6, or 12 days after the birth of Jesus (December 25). The Epiphany season (Epiphantide) extends from January 6 to the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. It encompasses six-to-eight Sundays depending on the date of Easter. In some churches, these Sundays are named Ordinary Time; however, better labels are the First Sunday of Epiphany, Second Sunday of Epiphany, etc. The feast of Epiphany originated in the Eastern Church and reflects the mystical thinking in Eastern Christian churches, to include the weaving and reweaving of themes in celebrations.

Epiphany Day (January 6) ends the Christmas season. The Epiphany season is time to lift our eyes from gifts, parties, and Christmas trees. In Epiphany, we imagine the faith it took for Magi (wise men) to follow a star up to one thousand miles. Their journey was hazardous. Most people they encountered couldn’t see this “so called” star they followed. At almost every stop or town along the way, the wise men were ridiculed when they told local people that they followed a star which was leading them to a new-born king.

During Epiphany, we focus on our own faith. As we reach out to others with the good news of Jesus, we modern day “wise men” must be ready for physical hazards, laughter, and incredulity. Still, as the wise men kept going from their home in the East to Bethlehem, we too must keep reaching out with our belief in Jesus and his redemptive work that began when he was born in Bethlehem of Judah in the days of Herod, the King. The four main concepts of Epiphany10 are:

Divine Manifestation. Epiphany is a Greek word epiphania, which means “a god visited earth.”  Twelve days before the start of Epiphany, God came to earth as the baby Jesus. Jesus’ birth was the first incarnate manifestation of God the Son to humankind, but not his last manifestation. At the end of the ages, Jesus will again walk the earth. In this final manifestation, Jesus will bring with him an army of angels.

Royal Kingship. God’s son, the baby Jesus, was a manifestation of the greatest king that ever lived. At Christmas, Jesus was shown to Jews. At Epiphany, he was shown to Gentiles. At the end of the ages, when Jesus returns in all his majesty, the designation Jew and Gentile will be irrelevant. At that time, Jesus, the king of kings, will separate the righteous from the unrighteous regardless of whether the individual is of Jewish or Gentile heritage.

Light. The third theme that runs through the Epiphany season is light. During the Advent season, the world was in darkness. Christians prayed and waited for the coming birth of Messiah and his second coming in judgment. At Christmas, the Light broke forth; but, was seen only by Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. At Epiphany, the mysterious star summoned Gentiles to benefit from the work of God’s son. The prophecy is fulfilled: “The nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3 ESV).

The royal nuptials. Marriage, or nuptials, is the final theme in the Epiphany season. Two thousand years ago God’s son married into humanity. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church his bride. Jesus’s celebration of the marriage feast at Cana is symbolic of Jesus’ marriage to the Church. The wise-men from a far-off Gentile country hurried to the wedding feast with royal wedding gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

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Mary Pondered, Do You?

Posted on January 5, 2021 | Leave a comment

“Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19 ESV).

Several times in the Gospels we read that Mary pondered things in her heart. What in the world were the “things” Mary pondered on or about the first Christmas?  Unlike 21st century Christmas, Mary’s “things” weren’t newly bought, she wasn’t concerned about returning them, or giving them to Goodwill.  Mary didn’t ponder how to make January charge cards payments.

The liturgical Christmas is a twelve-day season beginning with the celebration of Christmas Day on December 25 and continues through January 5. These 12 days are a gift Father God provides for us to ponder, to think about, what is important and to discount, or not think about, what isn’t important. Now, the halls are decked, gifts exchanged, and most parties over.

Mary completed an 80-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, delivered her first-born son in a barn, and showed him to shepherds who stopped by. If Mary had time to ponder events surrounding Jesus birth, do we have any excuse for doing less? During the 12 days of Christmas, focus your mind on pondering what it means for God to come to earth and into your life. Take time to recognize and ponder the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” Luke 2:10 ESV).

As you sit beside the Christmas tree, consider that Jesus is the light of the world, consuming all the world’s darkness. What darkness has been allowed to creep into your thoughts and actions this year, seeking to consume your soul?  Where is Christ leading you to be light in the world in the new year? Do the gifts you share lead others to eternal treasure?

Reflection: In many churches, the church office is closed Christmas eve through the day after New Year’s Day. Perhaps, even liturgical churches export a message that Christmas is a day rather than a season.

*Written by Denise May, St. John Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia.

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12 Days of Christmas

Posted on January 4, 2021 | Leave a comment

Primary school students learned the Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It has a jaunty tune and repeats information which appeals to these students. Most students and holiday revelers had no idea that the popular carol was a hidden catechism for Catholics. For about 300 years (1558 – 1829) during a time of severe persecution in England, Catholics used this carol to transmit the Catholic faith from one generation to another. In the carol, basic tenets of the Catholic faith were symbolized.  Here are the verses of the song:

The Carol and Interpretation:

  • On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. Me refers to all baptized persons, and more specifically, to all Catholics. A partridge in a pear tree refers to Jesus Christ. A pear tree references the wood of the manager.
  • On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. Two turtle doves refer to the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.
  • On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Three French hens are the Trinity: God, Son, Holy Spirit.
  • On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Four calling birds are the four Gospels.
  • On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Five golden rings are the first five books of the Bible.
  • On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Six geese a-laying are the six days of creation.
  • On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Seven swans a-swimming are the seven sacraments of the Catholic church.
  • On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Eight maids a-milking refers to the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12).
  • On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Nine ladies dancing refers to the eight levels of angels.
  • On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Ten lords a-leaping is the Ten Commandments.
  • On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Eleven pipers piping refer to the eleven apostles (minus Judas).
  • On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Twelve drummers drumming refers to the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed.

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Why Shepherds?

Posted on January 3, 2021 | 1 comment

Initially, when I read the story of the angels announcing the birth of the Christ child to shepherds, my response was, “Couldn’t the host of angels found a more important group to tell this earth-shattering event?” From what I read in the Bible, the shepherds were the only group who received this celestial announcement on Christmas morning. True, the wise men saw a star; but, we aren’t exactly sure when the star appeared to them. Further, wise men had to interpret what the star meant and follow it from Persia (Iran) to Judah. In contrast, the angels were clear when they announced God, the Son’s birth, to the shepherds.

A new acquaintance is a lay Catholic sister at Madonna House. When I told her my observation about angels choosing to give the announcement of Christ’s birth to shepherds, her response was that God loved and saw the value of poor shepherd on a rural hillside as much as he loved and valued the wealthiest king in a sumptuous palace. To her, God’s choice of the shepherds for this impressive announcement was based on love, consequently, not the least surprising. Not willing to give up my perspective that the shepherds were a strange choice for this august announcement, I asked my husband what he thought. Bruce believes that God’s choice of the shepherds was God’s first symbol that the infant Jesus was born to be the Good Shepherd of the world.

                These two responses reminded me that there is no greater love than when a man (or woman) lays down his/her life for another.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave his life for the sheep, that is, Christ gave his life for you and me. Given Jesus’ love and actions, having his birth announced to simple, even smelly, shepherds makes God-sense. It was consistent with Jesus’ choices while he lived on earth, to include how Jesus died.

                Jesus died to protect us and save our lives for eternity. Before Jesus died for us, he had to be born; and his birth was announced by a choir of angels to simple shepherds who lived and worked in the Bethlehem area. So why didn’t the angels find a more important group than shepherds to announce the birth of Christ? Because of love and because Jesus started as he finished, as a Good Shepherd who was willing to give his life for sheep.

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One Clear Night

Posted on January 2, 2021 | Leave a comment

Edmund Sears wrote It Came Upon a Midnight Clear while a Unitarian minister in Massachusetts. The hymn reflects the Unitarian emphasis on social implications (stanzas 3 and 4) of the gospels in mid-1800s.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heav’n’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heav’nly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hov’ring wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
Oh, hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
Oh, rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hast’ning on,
By prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When Christ shall come and all shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And saints shall meet Him in the air,
And with the angels sing.

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Christmas Superstitions

Posted on January 1, 2021 | 3 comments

At midnight on Christmas Eve,
all water turns to wine,
cattle kneel facing toward the East,
horses kneel and blow as if to warm the manger,
animals can speak but it is bad for a human to hear them,
and the bees hum the Hundredth Psalm.

The Irish believe that the gates of heaven
open at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Those who die at that time go straight through
without having to wait in purgatory.

It is considered very lucky to be born
on Christmas Eve or Christmas day in most countries.
However, in Greece the child is feared to be
a Kallikantzaroi or a wandering spirit.
In Poland the child may turn out to be a werewolf.

The weather on each of the twelve days of Christmas
signifies what the weather will be on
the appropriate month of the coming year.

There is a game in Germany where they blindfold a goose.
The girls make a circle around the goose and whoever
it touches first will be the first to get married.

Place a branch of a cherry tree in water
at the beginning of advent.
It will bring luck if it flowers by Christmas.

You should burn your old shoes during
the Christmas season in Greece
to prevent misfortunes in the coming year.

It is bad luck to let any fire go out
in your house during the Christmas season.
The fire in your fireplace must continue to burn
for the twelve days of Christmas.

If you do not eat plum pudding during the season,
you will have bad luck for a year.

If you refuse mince pie at Christmas dinner,
you will have bad luck for a year.

A loaf of bread left on the table
after Christmas Eve dinner will ensure
no lack of bread for the next year.

If an apple is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve,
good health will follow for a year.

Tie wet bands of straw around fruit trees
to make them fruitful, or tie a stone
to a branch on Christmas Eve.

Nothing sown on Christmas Eve will perish,
even if the seed is sown in the snow.

In the Netherlands they take a fir stick and
thrust it into the fire and let it burn partially.
They put it under the bed.
This serves as lightening protection.

Never launder a Christmas present
before giving it to its recipient
as this takes out the good luck.

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Were you born in a barn?

Posted on December 31, 2020 | Leave a comment

When I was a young girl, my cousin reprimanded me for something I did by asking, “were you born in a barn?”  The question was an insult at best. Nonetheless, Jesus was born in a barn.

Most Christians believe that Jesus was born in a stable. At other times, pictures of his birthplace show a cave set apart from the town of Bethlehem. Very likely, these ideas about Jesus’ birth place aren’t completely accurate.

Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus ordered that a census be taken of the entire Roman world. A part of the order required that all adult men go the place they were born. Joseph lived and worked in Nazareth when he married Mary, the mother of Jesus. But, Joseph was from the tribe of Judah; his ancestors from the area of Bethlehem. To fulfill the Emperor’s edict, Joseph had to return to Bethlehem.

  Joseph left Nazareth along with Mary and traveled to Bethlehem. Most art depicting Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem show Mary on the back of a donkey. The Bible identified that Joseph and Mary were very poor (Luke 2:24). Conceivably, Joseph couldn’t afford a donkey for his wife to ride. Mary may have walked from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem, Juda

How far Mary was into her nine-month pregnancy when Joseph and Mary made this trip, isn’t identified in the Bible. Pictures show Mary in about her eighth-month of pregnancy; however, these pictures could be inaccurate. It is unlikely that Joseph would wait that late in his wife’s pregnancy to start a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Conceivably, Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the 5th – 7th month of pregnancy.

 When Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, he would have gone first to his family home to stay with kinfolks. Perhaps, one or both of his parents were still alive. More than likely, one of his brothers lived in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, for Mary and Joseph there was no room for them in any home of Joseph’s kin. Possibly, several families returned to Bethlehem for the census. Relatives living in Bethlehem had no space for another couple. The Bethlehem inns were filled. Joseph and Mary couldn’t rent an inn room or even space on the inn floor.

Joseph and Mary may have stayed in a family member’s barn. In first century Judah, it was common for men to bring valued animals into the bottom floor of their home overnight to keep animals safe. This bottom floor functioned as a barn with family living space on the floor above. To understand this barn and home arrangement, think of the Middle Age crofters in Scotland.

 The bottom level of the home, the part reserved for animals, was rough, likely with a dirt floor. Its door may have been sufficient to keep the animals in the barn, but, did little to protect occupants from wind or rain. Most of these barns wouldn’t have had many, if any, divisions for individual animals such as we think of horse stables having stalls. Mary wrapped Jesus in cloths and placed him in a manger (Luke 2:7). The manger was a better place for a newborn babe than the dirty floor with animal excreta.

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Unmarried Pregnancy

Posted on December 29, 2020 | Leave a comment

“Mom, I’m pregnant.” Mary said to her mother.

Astonished, Mary’s mother responded, “Mary, you know that you and Joseph shouldn’t have had sex until you were married. What were you thinking?”

“Mom,” Mary replied, “The baby isn’t Joseph’s.”

Mary’s mother looked at her daughter, trying to process what possibly could have happened. “Oh, Mary, were you raped by one of those awful Roman soldiers?”

“No, Mom. I never had sex with anyone. The father is God.” Mary replied.

Can you imagine a conversation such as this one in a small house in Nazareth? Yet, it could have been the conversation between Mary and her mother. During it, Mary tried to convince her mother that she was carrying a baby who God fathered. Repeatedly, Mary stated with conviction what she believed was fact. She wouldn’t be swayed. We don’t know if Mary ever convinced her mother that her pregnancy was from the Spirit of God; however, Mary’s father was told of Mary’s pregnancy.

Mary’s father had to take the news to Joseph, Mary’s betrothed. Joseph denied that he was the father of Mary’s child. Mary’s father told Joseph exactly what Mary told her mother. Probably, neither man believed Mary’s statement that the Spirit of God got her pregnant. Joseph determined to set Mary aside quietly so that she wouldn’t be stoned for adultery. However, God intervened. Joseph had a dream in which an angel told him to marry Mary. When Joseph woke, he took Mary home to be his wife; but, had no sexual intercourse with her until after Mary’s son was born (Matthew 1:20-25).

 The next several events were affirming to Mary. Joseph took her (his wife) with him to Bethlehem. Shepherds told a story of a heavenly host announcing the birth of the infant to them. In the temple, both Simeon and Anna identified baby Jesus as Messiah. Important astronomers came to Bethlehem to worship the young child. These wise men brought gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, for the child. The Bible noted several places that Mary remembered these events and pondered them in her heart. Ponder means to contemplate, deliberate, or think over. Being a teen-ager, I bet Mary also concluded: “Good! I have been justified. Now, Joseph won’t think that I betrayed him with another man.”

 God told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, so they would be safe from King Herod’s wrath.  Several years later, Joseph’s family left Egypt; but, rather than return to Judea, they traveled north and settled in Nazareth. Resettling in Nazareth was hard for Mary. Her reputation as a virtuous woman was profoundly compromised in the Nazareth community. Anything Mary said to influence others that her pregnancy was a supernatural event or that her son was the promised Messiah was met with an eye roll and the equivalent of “Yeah, right.” Mary and even Joseph had a difficult life in this small insular town.

Copyright 12, 28, 2020: Carolyn Roth

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