I'm currently reading again Chapter 2 of the commentary of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Gospel of Matthew this Christmas week. This helped me understand more his commentaries to it.
It goes without saying that the second - church father’s take on this topic is the right one, since the theological and christological mysteries should not be subjected to scientific reasoning, or else it becomes subject to it.
There are countless numbers of angels and their intelligence is far beyond that of humans. They would all have been aware of this momentous event, and each one would be called to do his part in glorifying the birth of the Son of God. Peace to you this Christmas. 🎇
I DISCOVERED THAT HALLEY´S COMET IS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. On August 23, 2018, in my "Colombian Arithmetic Reconciliation Between History and Astronomy" in excel, I discovered that: 1) Halley's comet is the same Biblical Star of Bethlehem. 2) After the year 1066 A.D., there is an error (8 years extra). The year 1986 was really 1978 A.D., and the year 2018 was really the year 2010 A.D. 3) The German version of Ghost Time, which says that 297 false years were added to history during the period (614 - 911 AD) is not correct because during that time there were historic sightings of Halley's comet (837 A.D.,sighted during the reign of Ludovico Pío or Louis the Pious, and was reported by a chronicler nicknamed "The Astronomer" ), and there is no remainder of 297 years either. Going back in time with periods of 76.03 years, since 1066 when William the Conqueror spotted the comet, I found that the Halley's comet had its perihelion in year 1 of the Christian era and in the year 837 a.D., in the time of King Louis I. We are currently in the year 2024, however really this is the year 2016 a. D., because there is an error (eight-years) in the allocations of historical dates in the first 8 years, it may be because dates were always calculated based on periods of 75 or 76 years, but the exact period of Halley 's comet is 76.03 years, accumulating 8 years, or perhaps because at some point after the year 1066 AD, historians noticed that there is an error (8 years) in the assignment of historical events during the first 8 years of the Christian era and possibly those historians (clerics) thought that the error could be corrected by adding 8 years, but that was not the correct solution, It is necessary to relocate the assignment of historical events during the first 8 years. Whatever it may have been, after the year 1066 A.D., there are 8 extra years until today 2024 A.D (2016 years since the birth of Jesus The Messiah)., Going back in time with exact periods of 76.03 years, from the last perihelion of Halley's Comet in 1986 to the oldest record (China 2290 BC), it is observed that the perihelion of the year 1074 AD corresponds to the historical sighting recorded with date 1066 AD (when Halley's Comet was observed in Normandy and England by William the Conqueror) giving rise to a current accumulated difference of eight (8) years, between the date of historical record (1066) and the date that is supposed to correspond to the exact perihelion (1074). Therefore, if those eight (8) years of difference are subtracted from the date of the last perihelion of the year 1986, we obtain that the year 1986 should be the year 1978. Taking the exact year 1978 as a starting point and Going back in time (subtracting or subtracting) with exact periods of 76.03 years, it is observed that Halley's Comet had its correct perihelion in the year 1065 or 1066 (when it was sighted by William the Conqueror), it also coincides with the historical record from the year 837 when it was sighted by King Louis I (the Pious), reported by a chronicler called "the Astronomer", but also and most importantly, it can be observed that Halley's Comet had its perihelion in the first year, or year one (1) of the Christian Era or time after Christ a.D..
The Magi observed the Star, but are we right in assuming that everyone could? Crowds were not gathering as it neared. Herod was clueless. Maybe ‘appeared,’ what it did, is more meaningful than ‘star,’ what it might have been. This harks back to the pillars of cloud/fire leading the Jews in Exodus: visible to them and a mandate to act, to travel in a certain direction. The physical properties of these phenomena are glorious and fascinating, but their purpose was Divine. Perhaps the star was God’s relentless call to action, iterated to these three mages/astronomers/kings, in a way they would not misinterpret or dismiss. It compelled them to travel immediately. What we are given in Scripture about the time of Jesus’ birth is rife with messages from God conveyed in forms specific to their recipients-which are fully accepted and immediately acted on.
What I find interesting is that the Magi are called kings in German. This makes me wonder how much impact translations have on how certain people view biblical stories.
Couldn't help but think about our Lady of Guadalupe and the image of the sun, the stars and the moon that some people relate to the Lady of revelations
It is interesting to speculate that God might use a false belief like astrology to bring a person to true belief in Him. Not that we should use false practices in seeking God, but that we remember that He can reach even the hardest of hearts to Him by His good graces.
The Babylonians & Assyrians did not distinguish (what are more recently called, and distinguished by the names of) astronomy and astrology; though, historically, astrology is a late offshoot of astronomy; which in turn grew out of the practice of divining the will of the gods by observing the heavenly bodies & their motions. Astrology is a version of the older practice of divination by observing the heavenly bodies.
#askafriar? Scripture tells us that the Holy Family received 3 gifts. Did they use them to support themselves? Or something else? Thank-you. God bless you all.
Is the Star of Bethlehem story a *theological construct* to emphasise the Kingship of Christ, just as St Matthew 27.51-53 seems to be a theological construct - or, is it to be understood as an account of facts, with a theological message ?
The 'Star of Bethlehem' was not an astronomical or cosmological event. Joseph (Jesus' father) formed an alliance with Theudas, the Chief Therapeut. The 2 in warrior mode gave themselves titles drawn from an OT verse. Joseph was the 'Star' (of David), and Theudas was the 'Scepter'. The West Manassah Magi were a priestly caste of Samaritan philosophers founded in 44BC by Menahem and later led by Simon Zelotes. The Magians were Joseph's political associates. When they 'followed the star', they were agreeing with Joseph that a new Davidic king (Jesus) had been born. Because they recognized him as king, they were accepting him as legitimate. The Magi came to hail Jesus as the newest member of the David dynasty to work with them in mission.
Astrology is looking at logical patterns above, that is not problematic in itself, the problem has to do with the divination that people associate with the patterns above. It's tiresome to hear people try to make everything pagan either bad at best or pure evil at worst, as if the seed of the Logos was either totally absent, or barely present... You would be surprised if you knew why the native americans converted so fast, it's not because they were killing people and the Spanish came with weapons to save them, it's because so many pagan prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.
Easy, the bible clearly tells us stars are angels. The Maggi followed the star until the star stopped. So youre telling me that God would lead Moses through the wilderness, meet with him in person yet Moses is the basic minded misled one resting on superstitions and the roman catholic heterodox are the correct ones?
With all due respect…..A little bit of REAL science rather than theology, would not hurt. For example….. Astronomy, so you can learn about the stars, what they really are, what makes them tick, and in the end come to the realization of how ridiculous this story really is from a scientific standpoint. Thank you
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (3/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IVwR87OH0_A/mqdefault.jpg)
A star that moves and stops; with God all things are possible
Thank you, Father Little, for this answer. This is a wonderful gift to receive on Christmas. I pray for you, by name, every night.
closer everyday to becoming a dominican. gosh, I admire the thomists so much!
Just to point a way the second answer stood in our symbols: if you notice in some nativity scenes, the angel there will have a tiara with a star in it
There is something so beautiful and edifying about clarity. Thank you, Father.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas father . God bless
I'm currently reading again Chapter 2 of the commentary of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Gospel of Matthew this Christmas week. This helped me understand more his commentaries to it.
I have recently discovered that helpful Commentary...May God bless your study.
That explains. Thank you and merry Christmas!
It goes without saying that the second - church father’s take on this topic is the right one, since the theological and christological mysteries should not be subjected to scientific reasoning, or else it becomes subject to it.
Great commentary. #Askafriar: Is it possible that the same angel that guided the magi in Matthew also appeared to the shepherds in Luke?
There are countless numbers of angels and their intelligence is far beyond that of humans. They would all have been aware of this momentous event, and each one would be called to do his part in glorifying the birth of the Son of God. Peace to you this Christmas. 🎇
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024.😊
I DISCOVERED THAT HALLEY´S COMET IS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. On August 23, 2018, in my "Colombian Arithmetic Reconciliation Between History and Astronomy" in excel, I discovered that:
1) Halley's comet is the same Biblical Star of Bethlehem.
2) After the year 1066 A.D., there is an error (8 years extra). The year 1986 was really 1978 A.D., and the year 2018 was really the year 2010 A.D.
3) The German version of Ghost Time, which says that 297 false years were added to history during the period (614 - 911 AD) is not correct because during that time there were historic sightings of Halley's comet (837 A.D.,sighted during the reign of Ludovico Pío or Louis the Pious, and was reported by a chronicler nicknamed "The Astronomer" ), and there is no remainder of 297 years either.
Going back in time with periods of 76.03 years, since 1066 when William the Conqueror spotted the comet, I found that the Halley's comet had its perihelion in year 1 of the Christian era and in the year 837 a.D., in the time of King Louis I. We are currently in the year 2024, however really this is the year 2016 a. D., because there is an error (eight-years) in the allocations of historical dates in the first 8 years, it may be because dates were always calculated based on periods of 75 or 76 years, but the exact period of Halley 's comet is 76.03 years, accumulating 8 years, or perhaps because at some point after the year 1066 AD, historians noticed that there is an error (8 years) in the assignment of historical events during the first 8 years of the Christian era and possibly those historians (clerics) thought that the error could be corrected by adding 8 years, but that was not the correct solution, It is necessary to relocate the assignment of historical events during the first 8 years. Whatever it may have been, after the year 1066 A.D., there are 8 extra years until today 2024 A.D (2016 years since the birth of Jesus The Messiah).,
Going back in time with exact periods of 76.03 years, from the last perihelion of Halley's Comet in 1986 to the oldest record (China 2290 BC), it is observed that the perihelion of the year 1074 AD corresponds to the historical sighting recorded with date 1066 AD (when Halley's Comet was observed in Normandy and England by William the Conqueror) giving rise to a current accumulated difference of eight (8) years, between the date of historical record (1066) and the date that is supposed to correspond to the exact perihelion (1074). Therefore, if those eight (8) years of difference are subtracted from the date of the last perihelion of the year 1986, we obtain that the year 1986 should be the year 1978. Taking the exact year 1978 as a starting point and Going back in time (subtracting or subtracting) with exact periods of 76.03 years, it is observed that Halley's Comet had its correct perihelion in the year 1065 or 1066 (when it was sighted by William the Conqueror), it also coincides with the historical record from the year 837 when it was sighted by King Louis I (the Pious), reported by a chronicler called "the Astronomer", but also and most importantly, it can be observed that Halley's Comet had its perihelion in the first year, or year one (1) of the Christian Era or time after Christ a.D..
The Magi observed the Star, but are we right in assuming that everyone could? Crowds were not gathering as it neared. Herod was clueless. Maybe ‘appeared,’ what it did, is more meaningful than ‘star,’ what it might have been. This harks back to the pillars of cloud/fire leading the Jews in Exodus: visible to them and a mandate to act, to travel in a certain direction. The physical properties of these phenomena are glorious and fascinating, but their purpose was Divine. Perhaps the star was God’s relentless call to action, iterated to these three mages/astronomers/kings, in a way they would not misinterpret or dismiss. It compelled them to travel immediately. What we are given in Scripture about the time of Jesus’ birth is rife with messages from God conveyed in forms specific to their recipients-which are fully accepted and immediately acted on.
What I find interesting is that the Magi are called kings in German. This makes me wonder how much impact translations have on how certain people view biblical stories.
Also in Spanish n French: reyes, rois
And in English hymns, too, of course. Three kings from the Orient. I think this is international.
Reyes MAGOS! @@gemelosalegres6631
In Portuguese we say Reis Magos (Kings Magi).
Not in the Bible. They're called Sterndeuter (astrologers) there. Referring to them as kings is just traditional, in German as well as in English.
Couldn't help but think about our Lady of Guadalupe and the image of the sun, the stars and the moon that some people relate to the Lady of revelations
It is interesting to speculate that God might use a false belief like astrology to bring a person to true belief in Him. Not that we should use false practices in seeking God, but that we remember that He can reach even the hardest of hearts to Him by His good graces.
I remember learning somewhere that astrology preceded the science of astronomy...
The Babylonians & Assyrians did not distinguish (what are more recently called, and distinguished by the names of) astronomy and astrology; though, historically, astrology is a late offshoot of astronomy; which in turn grew out of the practice of divining the will of the gods by observing the heavenly bodies & their motions. Astrology is a version of the older practice of divination by observing the heavenly bodies.
#askafriar? Scripture tells us that the Holy Family received 3 gifts. Did they use them to support themselves? Or something else? Thank-you. God bless you all.
Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!
I vote for the angel. The shepherds got one. Why wouldn’t the magi?
Giorgio Tsokalous wants to join the group.
Is the Star of Bethlehem story a *theological construct* to emphasise the Kingship of Christ, just as St Matthew 27.51-53 seems to be a theological construct - or, is it to be understood as an account of facts, with a theological message ?
The 'Star of Bethlehem' was not an astronomical or cosmological event. Joseph (Jesus' father) formed an alliance with Theudas, the Chief Therapeut. The 2 in warrior mode gave themselves titles drawn from an OT verse. Joseph was the 'Star' (of David), and Theudas was the 'Scepter'. The West Manassah Magi were a priestly caste of Samaritan philosophers founded in 44BC by Menahem and later led by Simon Zelotes. The Magians were Joseph's political associates. When they 'followed the star', they were agreeing with Joseph that a new Davidic king (Jesus) had been born. Because they recognized him as king, they were accepting him as legitimate. The Magi came to hail Jesus as the newest member of the David dynasty to work with them in mission.
Anybody else report seeing this star?
If the romans where very good at keeping records why can’t we see the census report for Bethelem for the holy family on the night of Jesus birth ?
Astrology is looking at logical patterns above, that is not problematic in itself, the problem has to do with the divination that people associate with the patterns above. It's tiresome to hear people try to make everything pagan either bad at best or pure evil at worst, as if the seed of the Logos was either totally absent, or barely present... You would be surprised if you knew why the native americans converted so fast, it's not because they were killing people and the Spanish came with weapons to save them, it's because so many pagan prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.
Easy, the bible clearly tells us stars are angels.
The Maggi followed the star until the star stopped.
So youre telling me that God would lead Moses through the wilderness, meet with him in person yet Moses is the basic minded misled one resting on superstitions and the roman catholic heterodox are the correct ones?
You've also added your false presuppositions in your interpretation of the early fathers
With all due respect…..A little bit of REAL science rather than theology, would not hurt. For example….. Astronomy, so you can learn about the stars, what they really are, what makes them tick, and in the end come to the realization of how ridiculous this story really is from a scientific standpoint.
Thank you