The Epiphany of the Lord

God created the universe, which moves like a huge precise clock. The universe was above all created for the King of the Universe, Jesus Christ, and secondarily for human beings. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM has fascinated many for centuries. For millennia, believers, scoffers and the curious have wondered at the Biblical account of the Star. The Bible recounts unusual, or even impossible astronomical events at Christ's birth. For many doubters, the account of the Star is easily dismissed as myth. For many believers, it is a mystery accepted on faith. But what happens if we combine current historical scholarship, astronomical fact and an open mind?

Using Johannes Kepler's discovery of how the solar system works, improvements in our knowledge of first century history and the spread of computers, one discovers that in September, about 16 month before the birth of Christ, the wise men from the East saw something in the sky that they had NEVER SEEN BEFORE. The “King Planet”, Jupiter, made a triple pass around the “King Star”, Regulus, like a coronation. Then after Jupiter finished its rendezvous with Regulus in June of the following year, it moved beside Venus giving the impression of the most brilliant star the wise men had ever seen with the naked eye. That particular evening, our Babylonian wise men, who were good astronomers as well as well informed of Jewish prophecy, would have seen the spectacle of their career while facing toward Judea. Surely this prompted them to start off on their long journey toward Judea following the star all the way to Jerusalem which we read about in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 2. Read more at the web site (http://bethlehemstar.net/).

How many very intelligent astronomers and scientists there are today who do not believe in God? You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink! Let us give praise to God for His marvels in His creation! FOR MANY PEOPLE TODAY, SCIENCE IS INFALLIBLE, BUT NOT CHRIST OR THE POPE.

WE MUST DISTINGUISH HERE BETWEEN OBSERVING THE SIGNS OF GOD IN HIS CREATION AND ASTROLOGY.

ASTROLOGY holds that stars exert forces on men. Astrology assumes that stars are causes of earthly events. Astrology is a: "...form of divination based on the theory that the movement of the celestial bodies - the stars, the planets, the sun and the moon - influence human affairs and determine the course of events." (The New Columbia Encyclopedia (New York: Columbia University Press, 1975).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone" (CCC 2116). See also: Job 31:26-28; Deut 17:2-5; 2Kings 23:4.

Still, the Bible does make a surprising number of references to signs in the heavens. See: Job 9:9; 38:31; Is 40:26; Ps 19:1-4; Rm 10:17-18; Lk 21:25; Deut 4:19.

BOTH OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ASSUME THAT WHAT HAPPENS UP THERE MATTERS. If we are interested in following the counsel of the Bible, we must hold a distinction in mind. The Bible assumes that there can be messages about earthly events. It may be useful to think of this as a thermometer distinction. A thermometer can TELL you if it is hot or cold, but it cannot MAKE you hot or cold. There is a big difference between a sign and an active agent. This is the difference between "astrology" and what the Bible holds forth.

The astronomical explanation invokes the apparant "retrograde" motion of Jupiter. This is an illusion, of course - Jupiter moves only forwards as per Kepler's Second Law, but the Earth overtakes it, so in geocentric terms the planet seems to move backwards.

So you can visualise Jupiter passing by Regulus (alpha Leonis) on the way forwards (September 13, 3 BC), then seeming to pass by again, but going backwards (February 17, 2 BC), and finally going forwards again and making the third pass on May 8, 2 BC. Must have been truly impressive!

Of course, as an Aries I don't believe in astrology, but the Psalmist was surely right:

The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth his handiwork.

This is from my page http://www.theusmat.com/natdesk.htm

Reflections of living in a Chicago ethnic neighborhood known as Bridgeport 1930’s to 1953 during the great depression and the two wars which followed
The Christmas Trilogy
Christmas Eve, The Tree,and Epiphany (Little Christmas) JAN 6TH
The Christmas Tree

You can’t decorate or light the tree till Chirstmas eve mother would exclaim
“Jesus wasn’t borne till holy Christmas day” !
So it was as we strung ,the popcorn and cranberries , on threaded line
But first the lights, testing all the bulbs, to see if they worked fine
Then leaded icicles that dad would toss with glee
Then we decorated tree with silvered garlands and ornaments that grandma gave to me

A sentinel for the season a witness for all to see
Announcing the birth of Christ,
and the saga yet to be
Circumcision,Epiphany ,the Egypt flight
liturgically recalled
In home’s creche site were figurines
with solemnity installed
Those who were missed were seen throughout
or remembered on “Little Christmas”
So the paperboy,the mailman,and others
their Epiphany perhaps without a doubt

As Three kings passed by a week,
and nobles well upon their way
The tree was still there,
And up till The Holy Family day*
When Jesus found in temple teaching ,
celebration fleeting ,now, On to some
very serious preaching

EPIPHANY January 6th (12th Day of Christmas)

Epiphany On This “Little Christmas”
Once Upon a Time and not too long ago
The Twelfth Night Of Christmas
was celebrated with a ball
From the Day of Babe’s Birth
and the 11 thereafter
kith and kin were paid a visit
and friends from far and near
once were paid a call
So on this day I pray
in the spirit that this date recalls
The gifts of kings let thee gain
Be in spirit of joyous days
the season to remain
as the days ore the year
and beyond it wanes
Be thine Blessings Great
and misfortunes
thee none befall

What is surprizing is that merchants haven’t caught on to using the day to furthur sales.Taking advantage of post “Christmas” sales this writer uses that day to give gifts. For background on Epiphany read Greek Orthodox Archdiocease piece by Rev George Mastrantonis Orthodox Epiphany Festival of Lights

*Note In the old Tridentine Catholic calandar the second Sunday of January was observed as the feast of The Holy Family

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