STAR INPIIIM SPECULATION "And, Io, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, tili it came and stood over where the young child was". This description by Mat- thew of the Wise Men's visit to the Christ Child has caused speculation for cen- turies about the nat ure, of that star. While some believe that there is no natural explana- tion for this star seen "in the ea'st" by the Wise Men, others have attempted. to find an astronomical expia- nation for the pheno- menon. It is important to realize how much the people of Christ's time depended on astroIog, scientists have pointed out. A configuration of Jupi- ter, Saturn *and Mars that occurred in February of 6 B.C. is considered as a pos- sibility in searching for the News Of Christ's -Birth First Toldit "And there were in the, same counr shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night". So begins the scriptural account of the most thrill- ing announcement'ever made to mankind: the birth of. Jesus. It was not made, interestingly enough, to the rich and powerful or even to one of the many prophets that the tinIy country of Is- raeh, seemed'to produce in such abundance during Biblical times. The "good news" that the Messiah had at hast come toa waiting wor-Id was first announced to a group 'of shepherds tending -,their fiock through the night, St. o She pherds Luke tells us. Even though Christ was probably flot born during the winter, when we traditionally cehe- brate His birth (scientists believe that it actually oc- curred in the springtime) the shepherds were prob- ably doing their best to keep warm in the chili night air; one can imagine them huddled around a ire, per- haps making ý the Ionely, hours pass with occasional conversation. Suddenly, - there'15 a daz- zling sight; so dazzling that, St. Luke tells us, they were sore afraid". The angel that appeared in the midst of them sought to -reassure them, saying "'Fear, not: for, behold, j bring you gpod tidings ýof great.-Joy, WHITBY FREE PRESS CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, WEDNES DAYiDE14CEMBER 19,1 star of Bethhehem. It lis be;- passing- Saturn in the year natural - the faithful wilh years ago. lieved that such a' massing 6 B. C. continue to folow its, guid- quie petacmult aano Whatever the explana- ing light to findthe Infant suficientampor tnofv tion for the' star of Bethie- Jesus, eveny as the Wise suficint mprt o hvQ hemn - natural ýor super- Men did two thousand caused the Magi to travel great distances. Since the exact year of Christ's birth is not known, (the year Fo A. D. 1 was selected by W Dionysius in the mistaken s S idea that Jesus was boni in the 28th year of the reign of jmdo Emperor -Augustus) this date -is a distinct posibility. Another explanation>Ilis T a e i that the "star" was in fact the -glow caused by Jupiter 185 Brock St. N. which shall be to ail People. The angel describes the Christ Child to the awe- struck s hepherds and soon, they see an even more daz-' zling sight... a multitude of the heavenly host prais- ing Cod. With the words of the angels echoing in their ears - "GClory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towvard men" - the amazed shepherds de- cide that they will go into Bethlehem and see this wonderful event for thern- selves. And so they wentto Bethlehem «with haste", the scriptures say, to find Mary andJosepli with the Christ Child lying in a manger. No further mention is made of those shepherds in the- scriptures ... they ap-, pear on the horizon at a momentous timne in history, only to disap-pea ,r. $taoe For ail of our Friends this Christmas, a very special wish that brightness, excitement and love - tfie true spirit of the season - b orsa hsjyu ieo y e a r !b e y u s a t h s o y u ti e f Consolidated Building Company ADivimOnf FRst Cii7DenIspmentLtd. t.