TER
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- Joined
- Jan 11, 2008
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I really enjoyed the video. I do think he has it wrong however regarding the date when Christ was born, saying "nobody believes Christ was born on December 25th". Actually, many have, going way way back. I do appreciate how he demonstrated that a natural (though exceedingly rare, if not unique) celestial event heralded the birth of the Messiah (which I agree with). These were the signs which gave clues to the magi that the King of Judah, the awaited Messiah of the Jews, was being born according to the starry sky. These celestial events do indeed reference the proximity of where Christ would be born, but not as we learn exactly, which is why they needed to ask Herod where the Child had been born. I bet they wish they didn't have to do that, as his reputation likely proceeded him.
I agree with the Patristic witness that, in addition to the spectacular signs in the heavens which proclaimed this miraculous event, the star which led the magi to the very specific spot where Christ was, (now even a toddler), was also a miraculous event, namely by an angel. The man in this video is trying to unite all of the 'natural' movements of the stars with the star which led the magi through the deserts. But he doesn't need to do that. In fact, by doing that, he makes errors regarding the date of Christ's nativity.
I suggest that most of the celestial events (not including the 'star' which led them through the journey) had already taken place before the magi decided to organize a long and treacherous journey. Before they set off to find the new born King, these signs had already been fulfilled. This explains the delay in finally finding the infant Christ.
They too saw Jupiter had stopped while still far off, perhaps even before they left Babylon. It is quite possible that this was the reason why they already knew the Lord had already been born in the west. Indeed, they may have guessed accurately, by studying these events, that the date of His arrival had been on December 25th.
The man in the video seems to suggest that the Magi found the Child on December 25th from following Jupiter and where it stood still, thus it was the first Christmas 'celebration' but not the date of His birth. I disagree from all the evidence posted prior in this thread, which are substantial.
Also, why would the magi set off for a journey and plan on getting there in the dead of winter? Doesn't sound like wise planning to me. It is more likely they left in early spring.
We know that King Herod sent for all children under the age of two to be killed. Considering that, and the fact that the Scriputres place the visit of the magi to be when Christ was a toddler, these celestial events had taken place some time before the magi found the Child, suggesting to me that the star which led them finally was no longer the planet Jupiter or other heavenly body, but an angelic messenger which guided them.
Anyways, I am really enjoying the discussions here and would like to thank those who have participated.
I agree with the Patristic witness that, in addition to the spectacular signs in the heavens which proclaimed this miraculous event, the star which led the magi to the very specific spot where Christ was, (now even a toddler), was also a miraculous event, namely by an angel. The man in this video is trying to unite all of the 'natural' movements of the stars with the star which led the magi through the deserts. But he doesn't need to do that. In fact, by doing that, he makes errors regarding the date of Christ's nativity.
I suggest that most of the celestial events (not including the 'star' which led them through the journey) had already taken place before the magi decided to organize a long and treacherous journey. Before they set off to find the new born King, these signs had already been fulfilled. This explains the delay in finally finding the infant Christ.
They too saw Jupiter had stopped while still far off, perhaps even before they left Babylon. It is quite possible that this was the reason why they already knew the Lord had already been born in the west. Indeed, they may have guessed accurately, by studying these events, that the date of His arrival had been on December 25th.
The man in the video seems to suggest that the Magi found the Child on December 25th from following Jupiter and where it stood still, thus it was the first Christmas 'celebration' but not the date of His birth. I disagree from all the evidence posted prior in this thread, which are substantial.
Also, why would the magi set off for a journey and plan on getting there in the dead of winter? Doesn't sound like wise planning to me. It is more likely they left in early spring.
We know that King Herod sent for all children under the age of two to be killed. Considering that, and the fact that the Scriputres place the visit of the magi to be when Christ was a toddler, these celestial events had taken place some time before the magi found the Child, suggesting to me that the star which led them finally was no longer the planet Jupiter or other heavenly body, but an angelic messenger which guided them.
Anyways, I am really enjoying the discussions here and would like to thank those who have participated.
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