The blogger of 'Why Not Question' celebrates Christmas as a nice family holiday but has removed much of the religious significance it once held.
Why?
Because the blogger understands the truths about how the holiday truly came to pass and the traditions it has encompassed over the years.
Myth : Christ was born on Christmas day.
Truth : The shepherds were in the fields with the sheep. This only happens during lambing season. More than likely Jesus was born sometime in the fall. Estimations by Biblical experts places the birth sometime in September. December would be much too cold for the shepherds and the sheep. Sheep are very fragile and die easily from the elements.
Speculation : Christmas was invented by a certain religious group in order to entice the pagans into the church by embracing the Solstice.
Myth: There were only three wise men and they were present at Jesus' birth.
Truth: The Bible never gives a specific number. It simply says Magi and tells about the three gifts given. The Bible specifically says Mary and Joseph were in a house - NOT the stable. It also says that Harod killed all male children under two years old and indicates that a great deal of time had passed between the birth and Magi's arrival.
Myth: A huge star was present.
Truth: There were a series of astronomical conjunctions and that caused quite a stir in Rome. The Jewish people were the only ones who had no such knowledge, they didn't pay any attention to the stars,emphasized by Harod having to call the religious leaders to find out what the Magi were talking about.
There are quite a number of other myths and truths mixed in with Jesus' birth and Biblical scholars are researching to find out what really was going on historically. It doesn't detract from the savior's birth. Instead, it adds to the current Christian's understanding of what truly happened and brings the Word of God to life far more accurately - destroying the mythos that has sprung up over the centuries.
Christians should celebrate the truths coming to light because each new historical fact proves Jesus was born, is a real person, and not a myth.
Thanks for intriguing comments. Have you watched "The Star of Bethlehem" by Rick Larson? Excellent! May have to breathe some life into the old date for birth of Christ based on astronomical software. I suggest highly you purchase it this Christmas for a little under $10 on Amazon.com We purchased three extra to give away.
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